Garden City High School (Kansas)

Garden City High School (known locally as GCHS) is a public high school, serving students in grades 9–12, located in Garden City, Kansas, United States. It is operated by Garden City USD 457 public school district. The school colors are brown and white. Approximately 2,200 students are enrolled for the 2025–26 school year. The current principal is Steve Nordby.

Garden City High was founded in 1910 on the site that is now Sabine Hall in order to help educate the increasing population of Garden City. In 1917, a new high school was constructed at the site that is now known as Calkins Hall and two years later, the school was renamed "Sequoayah High School". In 1954, the school moved to its previous location, and on November 4, 2008, a bond issue for a new $95 million high school was passed. The first class to graduate from the current high school location was the Class of 2013.

Garden City is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association and offers a variety of sports programs. Athletic teams compete in Class 6A and are known as the "Buffaloes". Extracurricular activities are also offered in the form of performing arts, school publications, and clubs. Despite rapidly rising numbers of English as a Second Language students, Garden City High School has raised student achievement in reading, mathematics and science. The school newspaper, The Sugar Beet, was established in 1910 and is the oldest high school newspaper in the state of Kansas. The school has produced several notable alumni in various fields and occupations.

History

Early beginnings

The first high school in Garden City that would eventually become Garden City High School was established in 1884 at the original Garfield School, built in 1885. The later location, named Sabine Hall was constructed in 1911. In order to educate a rapidly increasing population. the school newspaper, The Sugar Beet, was established in 1910. In 1913, the high school was accredited by the North Central Association. In 1916, the Garden City School Board set a minimum teaching standard of one year of college and two years of teaching experience for all staff members, and a year later, the high school was accredited by the U.S. Military Academy. Later that year, a new high school was constructed at the site that is now known as Calkins Hall. Two years later, the high school was renamed "Sequoyah High School". The Board of Education approved night school in 1920 and summer school was approved the following year. In 1926, vocational home economics was started and in 1927, the Board established a maximum for teaching of two years of college and two years of experience. Calkins Hall was remodeled in 1929 and 15 credits were now required for graduation. This number was increased to 16 credits in 1931 when the high school was renamed "Garden City High School". During this time, the main gym was named in honor of Ben Grimsley and was known as the "Ben Grimsley Gymnasium". The hot lunch program began in 1938.

As years passed, the athletics department began to experience moderate success, and in 1945, Garden City won its first state championship in track as well as repeating the feat in 1946. A new high school was constructed in 1954, with the auditorium being completed the following year. The graduation credit limit was increased further to 19 credits in 1958. Garden City High School experienced many changes in 1959, including the creation of the counseling and honors programs, and a new dress code. The debate team also won the state championship.

1960s to 1980s In 1961, the main gymnasium (referred to as "The Garden") was completed and the debate team won the state championship for a second time. Also in 1961, the football team completed their first undefeated season with a 9–0 record. A year later the football stadium was constructed, which was one of the largest stadiums in western Kansas at the time. In 1964, Garden City finally experienced unification as Garden City District No. 1 became Unified School District No. 457. During this same year, the football stadium was renamed "Memorial Stadium". As interest in athletics grew throughout Garden City, so did the athletic departments. Cross-country was introduced in 1966 and the men's basketball team won their first state championship. Eight trailers were also purchased for use in the remedial reading program. One year later, a closed noon hour was initiated for all high school students. In 1968, GCHS experienced major renovations and expansion as the J.D. Adams Vocational Building was constructed and other high school remodeling was completed. The population of Garden City at this time was 14,745. The following year, an agreement was signed between the JUCO and the district relative to the exchange of the former junior college site for senior high vocational building space and other specified district facilities used by the college. The wrestling and debate teams each won their first state titles in 1971. Restrooms facilities were also added to Memorial Stadium in 1971. The men's basketball team advanced to the state championship the following year. In 1974, math requirements for graduation increased to 1½ credits which became effective with the 1978 graduating class. An addition to the music department was completed in September 1975, allowing more students to participate in a wide variety of musical activities and programs. Garden City would win its first state championship in men's golf in 1977 and progress continued throughout the rest of the decade. The practice gym and locker rooms were added in 1981. In 1984, an idea was conceived among administrators and board members of the school district to recognize past graduates of GCHS who had gone on to distinguish themselves through outstanding accomplishments. This idea was brought into action in the spring of 1984, when the first members of the Garden City High School Hall of Fame were inducted.

1990s The 1990s began with progress and changes. In 1991, J.D. Adams Hall was remodeled and 9th grade was moved to the high school. The Buffaloes wrestling team won four consecutive state championships from 1990 to 1993. In 1992, a new cafeteria was completed and the alternative high school was moved to 1401 W. Jones Street. Dr. Milton Pippenger was appointed superintendent in 1993 and a new enclosed walkway was constructed. Another major addition was constructed which would eventually be used as the trophy room. The city population at this time was 24,964. In 1998, the school district unsuccessfully attempted to pass a bond issue calling for a new high school. The wrestling program added two more state championships in 1998 and 1999, while the men's golf team won a state title in 1998. Additionally, the football team finished state runner-up in 1998 and won their first state championship in 1999.

Sabine Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, with the alternative name, Garden City High School.

21st century Throughout the 2000s, GCHS experienced many significant changes. In the fall of 2003, James Mireles became the new principal, replacing former principal Kevin Burr. The men's basketball team advanced to the state semi-final in 2003 with the help of several future collegiate athletes. In 2004, artificial turf was installed at Memorial Stadium and was dedicated on April 15. The Garden City Public Schools Foundation was founded in 2004. In 2006, an open-air courtyard located at the center of the previous high school was enclosed and replaced with an atrium to increase space for lunchtime seating and activities. A new pressbox and visitor stands were constructed in 2007.

On November 4, 2008, a bond issue for a new $95 million high school was passed. In 2009, a new "Jumbotron" video scoreboard was installed on the west end of Memorial Stadium. Groundbreaking for the new high school took place on September 23, 2009, and construction was completed on April 1, 2012, at $7 million under budget. As a result, the school board approved construction of a $975,000 ticket/concession/restroom and storage building. This also allowed the asphalt parking to be changed to concrete and for adding artificial turf to the football field, which saves on future maintenance costs. Installation of the football field's turf was completed in September 2011. In early 2012, the Board of Education approved a 1-1 initiative, providing every student with an iPad. In 2012, GCHS was selected as one of 314 Blue Ribbon Schools nationwide by the US Department of Education. The Blue Ribbon Award recognizes public and private schools which perform at high levels or have made significant academic improvements. In addition, principal James Mireles was honored with the Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding Leadership. The first class to graduate from the current high school building was the Class of 2013. The wrestling program won four consecutive state championships from 2013 to 2016. On October 13, 2015, the Kansas Supreme Court visited Garden City. In the court's 154-year history, it was only the second time for the court to hear cases in the evening. The session was held at the high school, which was the first time the court session was held in a high school facility. One year later, the Buffalo Living Legacy Fund was established. The marching band received new uniforms in 2017. In 2018, the robotics program won the BEST (Boosting Engineering Science Technology) competition at Wichita State University and the culinary program was named to Elite 50 for the fourth year in a row.

Academics

There are four academies at the high school; School of Trade and Health Sciences, Academy of Arts and Communications, Academy of Public Service and the Ninth Grade Academy.

Despite rapidly rising numbers of English as a Second Language students, Garden City High School has raised student achievement in reading, mathematics and science. Even with a more rigorous curriculum and higher graduation requirements, the dropout rate fell from 15 percent in 1993–1994 to 3.4 percent in 2003–2004 and the attendance rate rose from 89 percent to 96 percent. In 2009, 18 students earned top rankings in the Spanish National Exams sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. In 2012, GCHS was selected as one of 314 Blue Ribbon Schools nationwide.U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 2003 through 2006 (PDF), United States Department of Education. Accessed May 11, 2006.

Currently, Garden City requires students to complete 26½ credits in order to graduate. Many students also attend classes at Garden City Community College for college credit prior to graduation.

School layout

Former high school The previous high school building was constructed in 1954 and the overall campus eventually expanded to include several buildings. The main building consisted of several halls. The main hall was the longest hall in the school and consisted of several classrooms. It was attached to the main entrance on the west and met the trophy room on the east. The John D. Adams Vocational Technology building stood by itself next to the main building. There were two gymnasiums on campus. The main gym was often referred to as "The Garden" and accommodated approximately 2,000 people. There were also 8 trailers located on the north side of the school to help provide additional classrooms. These trailers were used largely for English and History classes.