Muncie Central High School

Muncie Central High School (MCHS) in Muncie, Indiana is a public high school. Opened in 1868, the school is today part of the Muncie Community Schools Corporation.

Muncie Central High School
Address
Map
801 North Walnut Street

,
47305

United States
Coordinates40°12′04″N 85°23′16″W / 40.201110°N 85.387737°W / 40.201110; -85.387737
Information
TypePublic high school
Established1868
School districtMuncie Community Schools
PrincipalChris Walker
Faculty89.83 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Grades9–12[1]
Enrollment1,326 (2022–2023)[1]
Student to teacher ratio14.76[1]
Color(s)  
NicknameBearcats
RivalBurris Laboratory School
Websitechs.muncie.k12.in.us

History

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Opened in 1868, Muncie High School produced a first graduating class of six students.[where?] In 1881, the school was renamed Muncie Central High School, and in 1915 it moved to a four-story building on South High Street in Muncie. In the early 1920s, it was one of Indiana's first schools to adopt a mascot.[citation needed]

In 1974, the school moved to its present location on Walnut Street in downtown Muncie. The school was originally open concept with almost no interior walls, but it has since been remodeled to a traditional format.[2]

After the 2013–2014 school year, Muncie Central merged with Muncie Southside High School to form one high school.[3]

In November 2021, students at Muncie Central organized Black Lives Matter protests, held outside of the school. The controversy began after police officers working at the school were offended by a pro-BLM poster, created by a 16-year old student for a school project and hung in the hallway by a teacher. School administrators decided to move the posters into the teacher’s classroom and the officers were transferred to other buildings. The decision was viewed by students as a violation of their freedom of speech. The protests made Muncie Central cancel several in-person school days while an investigation into the events took place. The protests at Muncie Central gained nationwide media attention.[4][5][6]

Athletics

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The Muncie boys team won the Indiana High School Boys Basketball Tournament (IHSAA) in 1928, 1931, 1951, 1952, 1963, 1978, 1979 and 1988. The boys team won the IHSAA cross country tournament in 1956, 1958 and 1967. The girls volleyball team won the state tournament in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2010.[7]

Muncie Central High School also is the site of the Muncie Fieldhouse, the fourth-largest high school gym in the United States.[8]

Music

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As a participant in Indiana State Fair Band Day, the Muncie Central marching band, known as The Spirit of Muncie Band and Guard since 2014, has been crowned Champion four times: 1953, 2014, 2021, and 2024.[9][10]

Prior to merging with Muncie Central High School in 2014, Muncie Southside High School won six Band Day Championships in a ten year span, including three consecutive years (2000, 2002-4, 2006, 2008). Muncie Southside finished first or second at the State Fair in 12 of 13 years, starting in 2000 and concluding with their final competition in 2013.[11]

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Muncie Central High School". Retrieved September 1, 2024.
  2. ^ "About Us - Muncie Central High School". chs.muncie.k12.in.us. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  3. ^ Stokes, Kyle (19 November 2013). "Muncie Closes High School In Brief But Emotional Board Meeting". StateImpact. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  4. ^ Cole, Samantha (18 Nov 2021). "School Removes Student Project About Fascism After Cops Complain". Vice News. Retrieved 24 Nov 2021.
  5. ^ Stefanski, Charlotte (23 Nov 2021). "'Students' voices matter': Muncie Central students march to protest being silenced". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 24 Nov 2021.
  6. ^ Glaros, Gina (19 Nov 2021). "Muncie Central High School holds 3rd e-learning day following protest". WTHR 13. Retrieved 24 Nov 2021.
  7. ^ "All‐Time IHSAA State Championships by School" (PDF). IHSAA. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  8. ^ Neddenriep, Kyle. "Muncie: 'It was as much a community building as it was a sports venue.'". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  9. ^ Montgomery, Gregg (6 August 2021). "Muncie Central wins Indiana State Fair Band Day competition". WTHR. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  10. ^ Emery, Millie Martin (2024-08-02). "5 area bands in state's Top 14". Western Wayne News. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  11. ^ "Band Day Hall of Champions". indianatrackmarchingbands.com. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
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