Paul Harding High School
Encyclopedia
Paul Harding High School was a public high school located on the southeast side of Fort Wayne, Indiana
. Harding was part of the East Allen County Schools
system located in Allen County, Indiana
.
On October 5, 2010, the school board approved the plan by a 6-1 vote, and June 10,2011 saw Paul Harding High School close its doors as a district high school.
conducted a study for the newly formed East Allen County School Corporation
. The study was made to determine the present and future school building needs of the corporation.
The study team advised the school corporation that a new high school should be constructed in the southeast portion of the corporation on the property owned by the school corporation. On March 31, 1969, the board of school trustees commissioned the architectural firm of Schenkel & Schultz to begin plans for the construction of this high school.
A committee of teachers was formed to study the educational needs of the community and to develop a set of educational specifications to meet these educational needs. Dr. Merle Strom and Dr. Paul Nesper of Ball State University worked with the educational specifications committee to assist in development of plans for the new school. The educational specifications were turned over to the architect, and the new school building was designed to meet these specifications.
A school building corporation was formed in accordance with the statutes of the state of Indiana, to finance the construction of this new school. The building is constructed on a 97 acres (392,545.4 m²) site on Wayne Trace, between Paulding Road and Tillman Road. It serves the student population in the southeast portion of Adams Township who are in grades 9 through 12.
The 247335 square feet (22,978.2 m²) building was built with movable walls, which gave leaders the ability to create and remove classrooms to suit their needs. It cost the district about $6 million to build the school, which has undergone no significant renovations over the years.
Originally, Harding served 1,137 students. In its final year of operation, it served about 600. The school had its highest enrollment in 1974-75, when it reached 1,235.
The school is named after Paul Harding, the first superintendent of East Allen County Schools
. Harding served as superintendent from 1964 until his death on August 7, 1968. Prior to that, Harding served for 10 years (1954–1964) as the superintendent of New Haven Schools.
producing graduates who are lifelong learners who value themselves and others. Graduates participate and are leaders in a highly technological,
democratic, and multicultural society, developing their intellectual and physical potential and becoming contributing members of the community.
The student body is 10% Caucasian, 78% Black, and 12% other minorities. A pattern of mobility has been noted within the past five years of about 50% of the student population either enrolling or withdrawing during the school year. There are 63% of the students enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program for the 2007-08 school year.
The certified staff of Paul Harding High School consists of 40 classroom teachers, 3 counselors, 1 librarian, and 3 administrators. The teacher turnover rate has been average the last few years due to teacher retirement, district reductions and normal turnover.
There are 180 student days in the school year. The secondary day is from 8:00 A.M. to 3:10 P.M. The school day is run on the Trimester schedule. Students go to five periods each day, with the class periods being 75 minutes long. The majority of 9th grade students are involved in the Freshman Academy where they take Algebra I, English 9, PE, Health and Read 180. Students are able to take up to 15 credits in a school year.
. Among all the schools of the SAC, the Hawks' main rival is the Knights of Bishop Luers High School
. Bishop Luers is similar in size, competes in many of the same classes in IHSAA
athletics, and physically resides a mere couple miles west of Harding on Paulding Road in Fort Wayne.
Football History
Boys Basketball History (1993-present)
Girls Basketball History (2000-present)
Hawks Victory Song
Cheer, cheer for Paul Harding High,
Shake down the thunder from the sky!
With our colors - green, gold, white,
Paul Harding spirit shows tonight!
Although the odds be great or small,
Paul Harding Hawks will win over all,
As our loyal teams are marching
Onward to victory!
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. Harding was part of the East Allen County Schools
East Allen County Schools
The East Allen County School corporation, known as EACS for short, is an Allen County area public school district, one of the largest in area in Indiana, encompassing southeast Fort Wayne, all of Grabill, Harlan, Hoagland, Leo-Cedarville, Monroeville, New Haven, Poe, and Woodburn. It operates seven...
system located in Allen County, Indiana
Allen County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 331,849 people, 128,745 households, and 86,259 families residing in the county. The population density was 505 people per square mile . There were 138,905 housing units at an average density of 211 per square mile...
.
Closure and Reorganization
On September 21, 2010, Superintendent Karyle Green presented a redesign plan at the meeting of the EACS school board. The plan was presented as a way for the school district to reduce expenses, respond to reduced student enrollment, and revise the academic opportunities provided to the students. As part of that plan, it was announced that Harding High School and seven elementary schools in the district would be closed at the end of the 2010-2011 school year. Non-graduating Harding students would be distributed among the four remaining district high schools for the fall of 2011. At the same time, the plan stated that Harding would be reopened as a magnet school, the Paul Harding College and Career Academy, serving the 7th and 8th grade students that currently attend the district's Prince Chapman Academy. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, an additional grade would be added yearly so that the student body will ultimately include grades 7-12.On October 5, 2010, the school board approved the plan by a 6-1 vote, and June 10,2011 saw Paul Harding High School close its doors as a district high school.
Academic Challenges
In recent years, Harding struggled with test scores, graduation rates and other marks of academic achievement. At the time of its closing, the school was in its fifth year on state academic probation. Had the school not closed, it could have faced state intervention, including a possible takeover, if assessment scores did not improve.Historical background
In 1965, Ball State UniversityBall State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
conducted a study for the newly formed East Allen County School Corporation
East Allen County Schools
The East Allen County School corporation, known as EACS for short, is an Allen County area public school district, one of the largest in area in Indiana, encompassing southeast Fort Wayne, all of Grabill, Harlan, Hoagland, Leo-Cedarville, Monroeville, New Haven, Poe, and Woodburn. It operates seven...
. The study was made to determine the present and future school building needs of the corporation.
The study team advised the school corporation that a new high school should be constructed in the southeast portion of the corporation on the property owned by the school corporation. On March 31, 1969, the board of school trustees commissioned the architectural firm of Schenkel & Schultz to begin plans for the construction of this high school.
A committee of teachers was formed to study the educational needs of the community and to develop a set of educational specifications to meet these educational needs. Dr. Merle Strom and Dr. Paul Nesper of Ball State University worked with the educational specifications committee to assist in development of plans for the new school. The educational specifications were turned over to the architect, and the new school building was designed to meet these specifications.
A school building corporation was formed in accordance with the statutes of the state of Indiana, to finance the construction of this new school. The building is constructed on a 97 acres (392,545.4 m²) site on Wayne Trace, between Paulding Road and Tillman Road. It serves the student population in the southeast portion of Adams Township who are in grades 9 through 12.
The 247335 square feet (22,978.2 m²) building was built with movable walls, which gave leaders the ability to create and remove classrooms to suit their needs. It cost the district about $6 million to build the school, which has undergone no significant renovations over the years.
Originally, Harding served 1,137 students. In its final year of operation, it served about 600. The school had its highest enrollment in 1974-75, when it reached 1,235.
The school is named after Paul Harding, the first superintendent of East Allen County Schools
East Allen County Schools
The East Allen County School corporation, known as EACS for short, is an Allen County area public school district, one of the largest in area in Indiana, encompassing southeast Fort Wayne, all of Grabill, Harlan, Hoagland, Leo-Cedarville, Monroeville, New Haven, Poe, and Woodburn. It operates seven...
. Harding served as superintendent from 1964 until his death on August 7, 1968. Prior to that, Harding served for 10 years (1954–1964) as the superintendent of New Haven Schools.
Mission statement
The mission of Paul Harding High School is to provide a quality educational experience in a cooperative and positive learning environment,producing graduates who are lifelong learners who value themselves and others. Graduates participate and are leaders in a highly technological,
democratic, and multicultural society, developing their intellectual and physical potential and becoming contributing members of the community.
Academics
Paul Harding High School is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and is commissioned as a First Class School by the Indiana Department of Public Instruction. Paul Harding High School is a four-year comprehensive high school offering academic, business, vocational, and general curricula. Students who want direct technical and vocational training are served at the Fort Wayne Anthis Career Center. The curriculum contains advanced and honors courses in English, math, physical education, foreign language, social studies, and science. Advanced Placement is offered in English 12 and Calculus with more to be added next year. There are also opportunities for students to be involved in Collegiate Connection to earn college credits while still attending high school. The district is currently investigating the possibility of dual credit courses to be offered in the school in the future. Each teacher has a copy of the curriculum they are teaching. The central office also has a copy of the curriculum for each department.The student body is 10% Caucasian, 78% Black, and 12% other minorities. A pattern of mobility has been noted within the past five years of about 50% of the student population either enrolling or withdrawing during the school year. There are 63% of the students enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program for the 2007-08 school year.
The certified staff of Paul Harding High School consists of 40 classroom teachers, 3 counselors, 1 librarian, and 3 administrators. The teacher turnover rate has been average the last few years due to teacher retirement, district reductions and normal turnover.
There are 180 student days in the school year. The secondary day is from 8:00 A.M. to 3:10 P.M. The school day is run on the Trimester schedule. Students go to five periods each day, with the class periods being 75 minutes long. The majority of 9th grade students are involved in the Freshman Academy where they take Algebra I, English 9, PE, Health and Read 180. Students are able to take up to 15 credits in a school year.
Athletics
All athletic teams compete in the Summit Athletic ConferenceSummit Athletic Conference (IHSAA)
The SAC is a high school athletic conference consisting of the eight high schools located area of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Three of the schools are private, one being a Lutheran academy, and the other two being Catholic preparatories. The rest are public schools, being part of Fort Wayne Community...
. Among all the schools of the SAC, the Hawks' main rival is the Knights of Bishop Luers High School
Bishop Luers High School
Bishop Luers High School is a Catholic high school located on the south side of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Bishop Luers is owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. The school was founded in 1958 by the Franciscan Fathers of the Saint John the Baptist Province in...
. Bishop Luers is similar in size, competes in many of the same classes in IHSAA
Indiana High School Athletic Association
The Indiana High School Athletic Association is the arbiter of interscholastic competition among public and private high schools in the State of Indiana. It monitors a system that divides athletically-competing high schools in Indiana based on the school's enrollment. The divisions, known as...
athletics, and physically resides a mere couple miles west of Harding on Paulding Road in Fort Wayne.
Football History
Boys Basketball History (1993-present)
Girls Basketball History (2000-present)
Team State Champions
- Boys' Basketball:
- Class 2A - 2001
- Boys' Football:
- Class 2A - 2006
- Girls' Track and Field:
- 1995/96(Co-champions)
- 1994/95
Individual State Champions
- Girls' Cross-Country:
- 1981/82 Kristi Walker
- Boys' Track and Field:
- 1984/85 Glenn Schneider - discus
- 1983/84 Glenn Schneider - discus
- 1974/75 George Doehla - discus
- 1973/74 George Doehla - shot put
- Girls' Track and Field:
- 1998/99 Rholonda Ash - 800 meter dash
- 1995/96 LaShanda Harper - 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, long jump
- 1994/95 LaShanda Harper - 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, long jump
- 1993/94 LaShanda Harper - 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, long jump
- 1982/83 Terri Young - 400 meter dash
- 1980/81 Kristi Walker - 1600 meter dash
- 1979/80 Kristi Walker - 1600 meter dash
- Relay Races:
- 1995/96 400 meter relay (Kelly Walker, Ebony Jackson, Donishia Morrison, LaShanda Harper)
- 1994/95 400 meter relay (Wilita McCarter, Ebony Jackson, LaShyra Harris, LaShanda Harper)
- Boys' Wrestling:
- 1988/89 Troy Bahler - 130 lb (59 kg).
School song
(Approximate lyrics - improvements are appreciated!!)Hawks Victory Song
Cheer, cheer for Paul Harding High,
Shake down the thunder from the sky!
With our colors - green, gold, white,
Paul Harding spirit shows tonight!
Although the odds be great or small,
Paul Harding Hawks will win over all,
As our loyal teams are marching
Onward to victory!
Faculty
- Arnie BallArnie BallArmond J. "Arnie" Ball began his 30th season in 2010 as the head coach of the IPFW Men's Mastodon volleyball program. Coach Ball has established a legacy on the courts of both the Mastodons and the national scenes...
, men's volleyball coach, IPFW
Alumni
- Trai EssexTrai EssexTrai J. Essex is an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League who has won two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII.-High school years:...
, professional footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player, NFL Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Selwyn LymonSelwyn LymonSelwyn Jalil Lymon is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Purdue.-Personal:...
, professional footballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player, NFL - Jim MasterJim MasterJim Master was a basketball player who played collegiately for the Kentucky Wildcats.-High school:Master’s family moved to the Fort Wayne, Indiana community during his high school years, and he attended Paul Harding High School as a junior and senior and played for the Hawks.During his junior...
, Indiana Mr. BasketballIndiana Mr. Basketball awardThe Indiana Mr. Basketball honor recognizes the top high school basketball player in the state of Indiana. The award is presented annually by The Indianapolis Star. The first Indiana Mr...
(1980), high school All-American, University of KentuckyUniversity of KentuckyThe University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...