Franklin County High School is the largest of three public high schools in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, and is one of two high schools operated by Franklin County Public Schools. The campus also houses the Franklin County Career & Technical Center, which offers vocational training. The principal of the school is Chris Tracy.
History Franklin County High was opened in the fall of 1958 and dedicated on November 30 of that year. It consolidated Elkhorn, Bridgeport, Bald Knob, and Peaks Mill High Schools. Franklin County is named for Benjamin Franklin, and the high school's mascot, the Flyer, was chosen in honor of Franklin's kite experiment. The mascot itself is a bird named "Freddie Falcon".
In 1981, the Franklin County district was split into two high school attendance zones with the opening of Western Hills High School, with Franklin County High now serving primarily the eastern half of the county, including eastern portions of the city of Frankfort. The central part of the city is served by a separate district, Frankfort Independent Schools, which operates the other public high school in the county, Frankfort High School.
In 1990, science classrooms and some math classrooms were enlarged, two computer labs were added, and the library was expanded. A more extensive renovation project began in the summer of 1997 and continued uninterrupted through the summer of 2001. The facade was updated, the original band room and administrative offices were torn down, and the original bus circle was removed. New music classrooms, practice rooms, business classrooms, and offices were constructed. Also added was a new center hallway on both the first and second floors; the second-floor hallway connects the original front wing with the back foyer. The cafeteria, auditorium, and gymnasium also were updated, and the library and the remaining original classrooms were enlarged.Franklin County High School Yearbooks 1998-2002
In late 2015 Franklin County High School was featured in a national OxiClean commercial. The first of the two 30-second commercials is called "Pride", and it features the team's members and equipment manager sharing their enthusiasm for OxiClean and how clean the team's uniforms look.
In 2023, the school and community began building the Adam Hyatt Outdoor Classroom, an outdoor learning space on campus created in memory of teacher Adam Hyatt, who died in 2019.
Head principals Clyde Orr (1958–1959) Garland Kemper (1959–1960) Ronald Connelly (1960–1963) Elmer Moore (1963–1966) John Underwood (1966–1967) Robert Hoagland (1967–1991) Jim Shrock (1991–1999) Mike Henderson (1999) Sharon Collett (1999–2012) Stirling "Buddy" Sampson (2012–2017) Charles Lewis (2017–2021) Chris Tracy (2022–2026) Joey Thacker (2026–present)
Academics FCHS offers two diploma choices for students: Enrichment and Academic diplomas. Students are graded on a 4-point GPA scale.
JROTC There is an Air Force Junior ROTC Wing at the school. KY-20021 supports the school by providing Color Guards for home football and basketball games. The Color Guard has presented flags flown over the capital for former congressman Ben Chandler at Hearn Elementary, and also participated in the 2007 Inauguration Parade for the former Governor of Kentucky, Steve Beshear and the 2015 Inauguration Parade for the former Governor Matt Bevin.
The rifle exhibition team started in 2005, has performed for the school, a Kentucky State University football game at halftime, and various elementary schools in the area.
Athletics The school is a member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA). FCHS offers its students the opportunity to participate in multiple sports: Boys and girls: Cheerleading (not governed by KHSAA), basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, track and field, tennis, Archery Boys: Baseball, football, wrestling Girls: Dance Team (not governed by KHSAA), softball, volleyball
The Flyers' football stadium, Benny Watkins Field, also hosts the sprint football team of nearby Midway University. Sprint football is a variant of American football which restricts player weights to . Midway began play in that sport in 2022.
Team records Team Year AchievementFootball2025Class 4A state championship runner-upEsports2023State champions (Rocket League)Girls' Basketball2021Sweet Sixteen AppearanceFootball2020Class 4A state championship runner-upGirls' Basketball2020Sweet Sixteen AppearanceGirls' Basketball2017State runners-upGirls' Basketball2016State runners-upGirls' Basketball2015Sweet Sixteen AppearanceChess Club2007Most CheckmatesDance Team2004National champions (beat 3 teams in division)Baseball2001State Final FourSoftball1995–200611th most wins (200)Girls' Golf1996State championsGirls' Golf1995State championsBoys' Basketball1995Sweet Sixteen AppearanceBoys' Golf1991State championsBoys' Golf1990State championsGirls' Basketball19985th most rebounds in a season (1,355)Boys' Cross Country1986AA state championsGirls' Cross Country1986AA state runners-upGirls' Cross Country1983AA state runners-upGirls' Basketball1980State runners-upFootball1979Undefeated regular seasonFootball1978AAAA state at-large runners-upGirls' Cross Country1977AA state runners-upGirls' Cross Country1975AA state championsGirls' Track and Field1972AA state championsGirls' Track and Field1972AA state championsGirls' Track and Field1971AA state champions
Theatre productions Year Production Type2026HadestownMusical 2025 The SpongeBob Musical Musical2024Mean GirlsMusical 2023 Seussical Musical 2022 Matilda the Musical Musical 2020 Little Shop of Horrors Musical 2019 Hairspray Musical 2018 Shrek the Musical Musical 2017 The Addams Family Musical 2017 The Outsiders Play 2016 The Little Mermaid Musical 2015 Legally Blonde Musical 2013 Oklahoma! Musical 2012 Cinderella Musical 2011 Footloose Musical
Notable alumni Logan Woodside, NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons
References
External links
Franklin County Schools