Thomas McKean High School

Thomas McKean High School is a comprehensive public high school located on 301 McKennan's Church Road in Wilmington, Delaware. The school opened in December, 1966, and graduated its first class in June 1967.

Thomas McKean High School
Address
301 McKennan's Church Rd.

Wilmington
,
Delaware

United States
Information
TypePublic
MottoIt's a great day to be a highlander
Established1966
School districtRed Clay Consolidated School District
PrincipalBrian Mattix
Grades9–12
Enrollment759 (2016–17)[1]
Athletics conferenceBlue Hen Conference - Flight B
MascotHighlander
RivalDickinson
AccreditationMiddle States Association’s Commission on Secondary Schools
Websitehttp://www.mckeanhs.com

Traditions

Having selected Thomas McKean, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, as its namesake, the school followed several traditions associated with the Scottish heritage of Thomas McKean. The mascot is a fierce Highlander, wearing a kilt made of the tartan of the Clan MacDonald. Among the dominant colors of the plaid are blue and green, the school's colors. In addition, the names of the school newspaper - Minstrel - and the yearbook - Talisman - reflect the culture of the Scottish Highlands.

Physical building

Originally designed as a model school for flexible scheduling, the building has several unique features and has proven adaptable to many situations. The school expanded in 1972, adding a new wing to the building as well as adding ninth grade to the student body. Thus, the class of 1976 was the first to spend four years at McKean.[2] The school is currently undergoing construction to update the labs and slowly upgrading the school's internal computer network. A new band room and several other new rooms are also being constructed.

Enrollment decline

According to the Delaware School Profiles, Thomas McKean High School is currently declining in enrollment. This may be due to a mix of changing area demographics, the Delaware school choice system, and increasing enrollment at charter and magnet schools across the state. It is, however, most likely due to the poor math, science and English attained by the students enrolled at the school. It is a shame that the poor student scores are tied directly to the staff and curriculum as opposed to the students.

In the year 2001, 1,354 students were enrolled at Thomas McKean High School. By the year 2007, 1,062 students were enrolled, a 19% drop.

During the 2013–14 school year, Thomas McKean High School was listed[3] as having 874 students, a slight increase of 11 over the previous school year.

Sports

McKean was known to be one of the top public powerhouse men's swimming teams. They consistently finished in the top three for States. Here are some of the team's accomplishments.[4]

Year Men's swimming season accomplishment
1980
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
1996
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
1997
  • State Runner-Up
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
1998
  • Delaware State Champions
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
1999
  • State Runner-Up
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
2000
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
2001
  • State Runner-Up
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
2002
  • State Runner-Up
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
2003
  • State Runner-Up
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions
2004
  • State Runner-Up
  • Blue Hen Conference Champions

Points of pride

References
  1. "McKean (Thomas) High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  2. http://www.k12.de.us/mckean/school/information/history.shtml. Retrieved January 25, 2007. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2012-10-19.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2005-02-13. Retrieved 2007-01-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

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