East Grand Rapids High School

East Grand Rapids High School
Address
2211 Lake Drive Southeast East Grand Rapids , Michigan 49506 United States
Coordinates	42°56′58″N 85°36′50″W[1]
Information
Type	Public secondary school
Established	1917
Principal	Craig Weigel[2]
Teaching staff	47.80 (on an FTE basis)[3]
Grades	9-12[3]
Enrollment	914 (2022-2023)[3]
Student to teacher ratio	19.12[3]
Campus	Suburban[3]
Color(s)	Blue and gold[2]
Athletics conference	Ottawa-Kent Conference[2]
Mascot	Pioneer Paul^[citation needed]
Nickname	Pioneers[2]
Website	egrhs.egrps.org

Student assessments
2021–22 school year[4] Change vs. prior year[4]
M-STEP 11th grade proficiency rates (Science / Social Studies)
Advanced %	43.2 / 30.5
Proficient %	27.2 / 38.3
PR. Proficient %	15.6 / 25.9
Not Proficient %	14.0 / 5.3
Average test scores
SAT Total	1149.8 ( +8.8)

East Grand Rapids High School is a public secondary school located in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. It serves grades 9–12 for the East Grand Rapids Public Schools.

Athletics

The EGRHS Pioneers compete in the Ottawa-Kent Conference. School colors are blue and gold. The following Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) sanctioned sports are offered:[2]

• Baseball (boys)
  • State champion – 2009[5]
• Basketball (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion – 1950[6]
• Bowling (girls and boys)
• Cross country (girls and boys)
  • Girls state champion – 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2019[7]
• Debate
  • State Champion – 1997
• Football (boys)
  • State champion – 1976, 1983, 1993, 1995, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010[8]
• Golf (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion – 1939 (tie), 1950, 1951, 2005[9]
  • Girls state champion - 1979, 1999[10]
• Ice hockey (boys)
• Lacrosse (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017, 2018, 2021[11]
  • Girls state champion – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021[12]
• Skiing (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion – 1997, 1999[13]
• Soccer (girls and boys)
  • Girls state champion – 2000, 2001, 2002[14]
• Softball (girls)
• Swim and dive (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion – 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2021, 2022[15]
  • Girls state champion – 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1992 (tie), 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019[16]
• Tennis (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion – 1936, 1955, 1956, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1971 (4-way tie), 1972 (tie), 1973, 1975, 1977–1979, 2001, 2003, 2007[17]
• Track and field (girls and boys)
  • Boys state champion – 1940, 1944, 1946, 1948, 1950, 1958[18]
• Volleyball (girls)
  • State champion – 2013[19]
• Wrestling (boys)

The Pioneers' boys' and girls' water polo teams compete in the Michigan Water Polo Association (MWPA), while the coed crew team is a member of the Scholastic Rowing Association of Michigan. The sailing team is a member of the Midwest Interscholastic Sailing Association (MISSA). The girls' field hockey team is a member of the Michigan High School Field Hockey Association, and girls also participate in a competitive Dance Team a member of the "Universal Dance Association" (UDA). The boys' lacrosse team won six Michigan High School Lacrosse Coaches Association (MHSLCA) titles before the sport was sponsored by the MHSAA. The school has a notable rivalry with Lowell High School.[20]

Performing Arts Center

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) is a 671-seat performance hall used for drama productions and musical performances. It features a full orchestra pit, dressing and makeup rooms, and a green room. Built in October 2002, the facility cost $21 million.

On April 20, 2007, President George W. Bush visited East Grand Rapids High School's Performing Arts Center to speak about the War on Terror, an event sponsored by the World Affairs Council.[21] On December 5, 2007, former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos gave a speech to students regarding leadership.

Notable alumni

• Jim Boylen, former head coach of the Utah Utes men's basketball team, former head coach of the Chicago Bulls.[22]
• Bridget A. Brink (class of 1987), diplomat[23]
• Doris Cole (born 1938, class of 1955), architect and author[24]
• Allie Dragoo (born 1989), USA Cycling Cervelo Bigla Pro Cycling professional cyclist[25]
• Luke Glendening, NHL hockey player
• Adam Herz, screenwriter[26]
• John Hockenberry, journalist
• Luke Jensen, former professional tennis player[27]
• Laura Kasischke, poet and novelist
• John McNamara, writer[28]
• L. William Seidman, economic advisor to Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, chairman of the FDIC and co-founder of Grand Valley State University.
• Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of children's books
• Peter Meijer, Republican who represented Michigan's 3rd congressional district from 2021 to 2023[29]
• Elizabeth M. Welch, Associate Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court[29]
• Austin Beutner, Businessman, former publisher and CEO of Los Angeles Times, superintendent of Los Angeles Public School District[29]
• Henry F. Schaefer III, one of the most highly cited chemists in the world[29]
• Gillian Sorensen, former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for External Relations[29]
• Martha Teichner, television news correspondent[29]
• John Ronan, Architect, designer and educator[29]
• David McLaughlin, 14th President of Dartmouth College[30][29]
• Ryan McInerney, President of Visa Inc.[29]
• Natalie Fratto, Vice President at Goldman Sachs[29]
• Dave Engbers, co-founder of Founders Brewing Company[29]
• Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, Co-Director of the National Center for Children and Families at Teachers College, Columbia University[29]
• Steve Belkin, founder of Trans National Group[29]
• Steve Pestka, former member of the Michigan House of Representatives

In popular culture

The working title for the film American Pie was "East Grand Rapids".[31] Much of American Pie is based on writer Adam Herz's days at East Grand Rapids High School.[32] In the film, the town is called "East Great Falls", and the high school bears the same school colors — blue and gold — along with a similar mascot — the Trailblazers instead of the Pioneers.

References

1. "East Grand Rapids High School". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. September 23, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
2. "MHSAA > Schools". www.mhsaa.com. Michigan High School Athletic Association. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
3. "East Grand Rapids High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
4. "MI School Data Annual Education Report". MI School Data. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
5. "Yearly Champions | Baseball | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
6. "Yearly Champions | Boys Basketball | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
7. "Team Champions | Girls Cross Country | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
8. "Yearly Champions | Football | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
9. "Team Champions | Boys Golf | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
10. "Team Champions | Girls Golf | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
11. "Yearly Champions | Boys Lacrosse | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
12. "Yearly Champions | Girls Lacrosse | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
13. "Yearly Champions | Boys Skiing | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
14. "Yearly Champions | Girls Soccer | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
15. "Team Champions | Boys Swimming & Diving | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
16. "Team Champions | Girls Swimming & Diving | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
17. "Team Champions | Boys Tennis | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
18. "Team Champions | Boys Track & Field | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
19. "Yearly Champions | Girls Volleyball | MHSAA Sports". www.mhsaa.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
20. "Lowell-East Grand Rapids football rivalry unlike any other in West Michigan". mlive.com. October 15, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
21. "White House Press Release on President Bush's visit". 20 April 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
22. Sorenson, Mike (January 13, 2008). "Utah was slam dunk for Boylen, family". Deseret News. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
23. "East Grand Rapids native nominated as ambassador to Ukraine". WOODTV.com. 2022-04-25. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
24. Kok, Evonne. "Grand Rapids Public Museum exhibit 'All Dressed Up — 1950s Style' showcases 1950s fashion", Booth Features, December 3, 2011. Accessed April 24, 2017. "Collection donor Doris Cole graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1955."
25. Wallner, Peter J. "Grand Rapids native Allie Dragoo wins stage 1 at Tour of Utah", The Grand Rapids Press, August 4, 2015. Accessed April 24, 2017. "Allie Dragoo, a Grand Rapids native who attended East Grand Rapids High School, won stage 1 of the two-day Tour of Utah Women's Edition: Criterium Classic on Tuesday."
26. "Adam Herz on IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
27. "Luke Jensen named Syracuse tennis coach", USA Today, August 29, 2006. Accessed December 26, 2007. "A 1985 graduate of East Grand Rapids High School in Michigan, Jensen reached the second round of the U.S. Open just before enrolling at the University of Southern California, where he earned All-America honors in 1987 and 1988. Jensen won the 1983 Michigan High School State Singles Championship and earned high school All-America recognition."
28. Michael Schneider. "A new runner's in 'Sight'". Variety. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
29. "East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation : Alumni : Notable Alumni". egrsf.org. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
30. "Remembering David T. McLaughlin, Alumnus and Leader". www.dartmouth.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
31. Karon, Paul (July 9, 1998). "Elizabeth 'Falls' for U teen sex comedy". Variety. Archived from the original on September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
32. "The Michigan Daily Online". umich.edu. February 29, 2008. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2012 – via Web Archive.

External links

• East Grand Rapids High School (official home page)
• Diversity in Michigan
• "The Jocks, the Jets, the Grubbies and the Ghosts of the Past"