Our History
About East High
The greatness of East High School is measured in the number of outstanding scholars it graduates, the number of athletic trophies it has won, the large number of prestigious alumni who called the hallowed halls of East home, the long list of dedicated and distinguished teachers and administrations, the wide variety of clubs and activities it sponsors, the life-long friendships forged “under the clock,” the strength of its curriculum, and most interestingly, the grandeur of the building itself. In the early days of East High School, students and faculty alike were asked to pledge themselves to an "Aristocracy of Service." Let us hope that 100 years from today this pledge is still being honored by those that make up the East family.
The history of East High School started where Denver began, near the South Platte River in Lower Downtown Denver. Although elementary education began as early as 1859, the first high school opened in 1874. Arapahoe School became the first public high school in the Denver area and was named after the Arapahoe Indians who lived near the river. The school quickly became the pride of Denver, as there were few impressive public buildings. In May of 1877, seven students walked across the stage of Central Presbyterian Church and became the first graduating class of what was to become East High School.
Heritage Hall of Fame
The East High Alumni Heritage Hall recognizes select alumni who have made significant and enduring contributions in their fields of endeavor; elevated the stature of East High School and its students; helped open new frontiers for East students and society in general; and inspired others by their example. The 2010 slate of inductees was chosen by the official selection committee, on the basis of those nominees who best met the above criteria, and as a group, best represented the school’s rich heritage of diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, field of achievement, and generation.
The Hall’s exhibit of inductee portraits and biographies is located on the third floor, outside the Robert Colwell Library. Heritage Hall was inaugurated with thirty inaugural inductees in 2008, as an educational and motivational project sponsored by the Alumni and Friends of East High and the East High Angel Foundation.
Athletic Hall of Fame
The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding athletes and coaches from East High School. Click here to view the complete list of outstanding athletes.
For more information: Beth Gower (303)757-8253, jsmbgower@earthlink.net