London Central Elementary High School

London Central Elementary High School (LCEHS), formerly London Central High School, was a United States Department of Defense Dependents School (DoDDS) in the Isles District of DoDDS Europe for pupils in kindergarten through grade 12. It operated from 1952 until 2007, with its first graduating class in 1953.

LCEHS fell under the command of the U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom (COMNAVACTUK).

History

London Central High School (commonly known as "LCHS" or just "Central") was established in 1952 at Bushy Park, in south west London, for students in grades 7 through 12. Subsequent base closures led to two moves: to Bushey Hall in 1962, and to RAF Daws Hill, its final location, in 1971.

For the 2006–07 school year, LCHS merged with West Ruislip Elementary School, which had closed in the spring of 2006.[1] Consequently, it accommodated grades K-12 and "elementary" was added to the school's name. At the time of its closing, LCEHS was the last remaining DoDDS school with dormitories.

The USNAVEUR Headquarters were relocated from London to Naples, Italy in 2007. As a result, RAF Daws Hill, along with other naval installations in the area, was scaled down and eventually closed. LCHS staged a formal closing ceremony on May 15, 2007 and locked its doors for the last time in June 2007, with a handover of keys back to the US Navy/RAF on 30 June. The website was completely removed in mid-June 2014.

Student body

Circa 2005 the average number of students was 360. Students originated from the United States and Canada, with most students being in military families; those from non-military families paid tuition fees. The school had a high rate of students enrolling or transferred away due to job changes. Students living in dormitories, which served grades 9-12, had parents doing military duties or other duties for the U.S. federal government in remote areas in other countries; circa 2005 there were at least 75 students boarding.[2]

Notable students

A book about London Central High School entitled From the Faculty Lounge[6] was published in 2008. It features memories of the school in all three of its locations from around 35 former principals, teachers and staff.

Notes and references
  1. Murray, Ben (6 September 2006). "London Central school to be shut down at end of academic year". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  2. "General School Information". London Central Elementary High School. 26 January 2005. Archived from the original on 26 January 2005. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  3. "Dan Peek, Co-Founder of America, Dead at 60". Billboard. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2012. Peek was born in Panama City, Fla., to a U.S. Air Force officer father. He moved to England in 1963 when his father was assigned to a base there, meeting Bunnell and Beckley at London Central High School. Peek and Beckley played in a band called The Days, and after Peek left to attend Old Dominion University in Virginia, Bunnell took his place.
  4. Parsons, Dorie (2012). "Short Biographies of Famous Brats (D-F)". American Overseas Schools Historical Society. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  5. "Lieutenant General Thomas C. Waskow". Air Force Link. 2002. Archived from the original on 10 February 2004. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
  6. Kelly, Sean (2008). From the Faculty Lounge: Memories of London Central High School. Vox Pop, Inc. ISBN 978-1-59899-101-7.
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