East High School (Tennessee)

East High School is a public high school serving grades 9 to 12 in Memphis, Tennessee. It was formerly in the Memphis City Schools district but is now a part of Shelby County Schools.^[2] East High School is an all-optional school, with whose T-STEM programs offers opportunities to study transportation and logistics, engineering, and aviation. East High School partners with local universities to support Dual Enrollment for students to earn college credits while in high school.

East High School
Address
3206 Poplar Avenue Memphis , Tennessee 38111 United States
Coordinates	35°07′55″N 89°57′14″W
Information
Type	Public
Opened	1948
School district	Shelby County Schools
NCES School ID	470014801053[1]
Principal	Pamela McKinley (2022-present)
Teaching staff	43.30 (FTE) (2023-2024)[1]
Grades	9 to 12
Enrollment	615 (2023-2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	14.20 (2023-2024)[1]
Color(s)	Maroon and Grey
Fight song	Fight On East High (On, Wisconsin!)
Athletics conference	TSSAA
Mascot	Mustang
Website	schools.scsk12.org/east-hs

History

Planning

In February 1944, the City Board of Education announced plans to construct a combined elementary, middle, and high school at the intersection of Poplar and Holmes alongside other major postwar construction and repair projects.^[3] The new school was intended to relieve crowding at Messick, Memphis State Training School, and Treadwell.^[4] The building was designed by architect Everett D. Woods and construction began in 1946.^[5][6]

Early years

The first classes of grades K-10 took place in 1948, with 11th and 12th grade being added in 1949 and 1950 respectively.^[7]

1975–1999

In 1976 a separate building was built adjacent to East's rear parking lot, originally housing East VoTech. Another smaller building was built in 1984. It connects to the East VoTech building and houses facilities for the main school. 1984-1985 was also the last year for the elementary school, with the classrooms being given to the secondary and high school section.^[7]

2000s

The location of the former annex, 2021.

On November 13, 2002, five classrooms in the Annex and southwest wing of the main building were closed and cleaned after black mold was discovered inside.^[8] The following weekend, senior Criss Mister died after suffering an asthma attack, leading to student protests and heightening parents' concerns.^[9] In March 2003, the Annex was demolished. An elevator and six ADA accessible restrooms (two per floor) were built in its place.^[5][10]

A $12.8 million renovation was completed during the summer of 2007. The renovation was started in October 2005 with the renovation of the auditorium; the windows were bricked over, ADA accessibility features were added, the wooden seating was replaced with plastic ones, and a new media booth was built in the rear of the auditorium. The renovation also included drop ceilings throughout the entire school; new fluorescent lighting, HVAC, and water pipes located within the drop ceilings; and new tile flooring in the halls.^[10][11]

In January 2017, East High announced its T-STEM Optional Program, partnering with University of Memphis, FedEx, and AutoZone to develop a new curriculum. The decision was made due to low enrollment. The following fall, the T-STEM Academy was established, with all non-qualifying students being rezoned to other high schools. It is the first T-STEM school in SCS.^[12][13][14]

On April 19, 2021, SCS revealed their "Reimagine 901" facilities plan. The plan involves the creation of more K-8 and 6-12 schools to smoothen building transitions for students.^[15] The following spring, it was announced that Maxine Smith STEAM Academy, also known as MSSA, would be relocated to East High School. At the time, MSSA shared a building with Middle College High School at 750 East Parkway. The relocation was completed before the fall 2022 school year despite resistance.^[16]

Academics

Enrollment

As of the 2023-2024 school year, East High has an enrollment of 615 students.^[1]

• Asian - 0.5%
• Black - 68.3%
• Hispanic - 10.2%
• White - 13.2%
• Multiple Races - 7.8%

Curriculum

East High School offers vocational education focusing on transportation in addition to traditional STEM careers.^[13] One vocational course prepares students for drone license and private pilot license exams.^[17]

Athletics

The sports teams of East High are known as the Mustangs (and Lady Mustangs for girls' teams).

The basketball team won three consecutive state titles between 2016 and 2018 under Penny Hardaway, before he began coaching for the University of Memphis.^[18] In September 2022, East High was fined nearly $15,000 by the TSSAA and stripped of 2018-19 post-season titles after Hardaway was found to have violated recruiting rules in bringing James Wiseman to East High from Nashville.^[19][20]

Memphis East Mustangs Athletic State Championships^[21]- Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Sports

Season	Sport	Number of Championships	Year
Fall	Golf, Boys	1[22]	1955
	Football	2[23]	2016, 1999
Winter	Basketball, Boys	8[24]	2017, 2016, 2012, 1996, 1988, 1983, 1982, 1979
Spring	Track and Field, Boys[a]	7[25]	2024, 2023, 2006, 2005, 1992, 1981, 1980
	Track and Field, Girls[a]	18[26]	2024, 2023, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1980
Total		36

Notable alumni

• Eric Banks, football player^[27]
• Qwynnterrio Cole, strong safety for the St. Louis Battlehawks^[28]
• Kirk Fordice, Mississippi governor (1992-2000)^[29][30]
• Anne Haney, actress
• Cedric Henderson, basketball player^[31]
• Will Redmond, football player^[32]
• Cybill Shepherd, actress, singer and model^[33]
• Shelby Tucker, Anglo-American journalist, novelist and attorney
• James Wiseman, basketball player for the Detroit Pistons, 2019 Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year^[34][35][36]
• Paul Young, Memphis mayor (2024-present)^[37]

Notes

1. Team championships, not winning individual events.