Laurel High School is a public high school located in Laurel, Maryland, United States; it is the oldest school in the Prince George's County Public Schools system.

The school serves"Neighborhood High Schools and Boundaries School Year 2018–2019." Prince George's County Public Schools. Retrieved on August 26, 2018. Laurel,"City of Laurel Zoning Map ." City of Laurel. Retrieved on August 26, 2018. See also: City map . portions of Konterra,"2010 Census – Census Block Map (Index): Konterra CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 26, 2018. Pages: 1, 2, and 3. South Laurel,"2010 Census – Census Block Map (Index): South Laurel CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 26, 2018. Pages: 1, 2, and 3. Note that the census-designated place was previously smaller: 2000 Index Map and pages 1 and 2. In the 1990 map of Prince George's County (see index), South Laurel is on pages 2 and 5. and West Laurel."2010 Census – Census Block Map: West Laurel CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 26, 2018. The West Laurel CDP was previously defined as a larger area; portions are now defined as being in the Konterra CDP. 2000 map: "Census 2000 Block Map: West Laurel CDP." The 1990 maps of Prince George's County (index map) show West Laurel on pages 1 and 4.

History

Laurel High School was founded in 1899 with an enrollment of 59 students and four teachers. According to The Washington Post, the 1900 graduating class was all women. The original school building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. In 1965, the school moved to a larger building at 8000 Cherry Lane in Laurel, and annexed the former Margaret A. Edmonson Elementary School in 1983. The last class at the original location held a 50th reunion in 2015.

Fulfilling an objective of the Prince George's County Capital Improvement Program since 1989, construction on a new 800-seat auditorium for the school was expected to begin in February 2009. The addition was completed in the early 2010 school year.

Laurel High's student newspaper, "The Shield", established in the 1995–1996 school year, has won awards from the American Scholastic Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.Leonard, Guy. Laurel High School newspaper wins Scholastic Press award. The Gazette. March 25, 2004. URL retrieved on March 8, 2007. Prior to the 1995–96 school year, the school paper operated under the name "The Tattler".

Laurel shares the same layout as Bowie High School, in neighboring Bowie, Maryland. Laurel High School currently enrolls roughly 2,000 students in grades 9 through 12. The school mascot is the Spartan, and the school colors are blue and gold.

In 2009, Sheryll Cashin said in The Failures of Integration: How Race and Class are Undermining the American Dream that Laurel High was one of several mostly black, mostly middle class Prince George's County public high schools that were "decidedly underachieving: fewer than half of the seniors at these schools went on to attend four-year colleges in recent years."

In 2022, Laurel High School was one of the four schools in PGCPS that faced bomb threats. Another bomb threat targeted Laurel High School in 2024.

Notable alumni Mike Bullock – writer, musician Shari Elliker – radio personality Marty Friedman – guitarist (former lead of Megadeth)"West Laurel barn razing". October 2002. Fan Questions and Answers. Marty Friedman Official Website. URL retrieved on December 20, 2006. Gertrude Poe – journalist, lawyer, real estate agent, insurance agent, and radio broadcaster Angie Vaughn – track and field athlete Ray Vigliotti – soccer player Alonzo T. Washington – politician Tico Wells – actor

References

External links