Laurel Highlands High School is a public high school serving around 1,100 students in grades 9â€"12 from the outlying Uniontown city limits. Due to the campus' location, some students from Uniontown do attend Laurel Highlands for convenience.
Creation and history
Laurel Highlands High School was created in 1967 by merging rival high schools, North Union and South Union. Students attended high school in their respective buildings until completion of the current campus in 1972. Minor upgrades were performed to the school in 1994. The most recent structural update was completed in 2015 with a $43 million renovation.
Academics
According to the schools Curriculum Guide students need 25.5 credits in order to graduate, as well as complete a graduation project and career portfolio.
Credit structure
Course offerings
- English
- Social Studies
- Science
- Mathematics
- Physical Education/Health
- World Language: Including courses in French, Spanish, and Foreign Cultures
- Business Education: Including tourism courses
- Air Force/JROTC
- Technology Education: Including courses in CADD, as well as an introductory course to the Natural Gas industry in the area.
- Family/Consumer Sciences
- Music
- Art
- Driver's Education
Vocational Education Opportunity
Students in Grades 10â€"12 have the opportunity to attend the Fayette County Career and Technical Institute in Georges Township for one-half day, each day while attending their home school the other half of the day.
Athletics
Notable alumni
- Dr. Peter M. Rhee, the Physician to Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the other patients in the 2011 Tucson shooting graduated from Laurel Highlands in 1979.
- Wil Robinson, former ABA basketball player, All-American at West Virginia University
- Terry Mulholland, MLB pitcher for many teams over a 21-year career
- Kaleb Ramsey, drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 7th round of 2014 draft.
- Gus Gerard, former ABA and NBA player. 1975 All rookie first team, 1976 ABA All Star.
- Dr. Mark Esper, class of 1982, Esper attended the U.S. Military Academy and graduated from West Point in 1986 as a dean's list student and recipient of the MacArthur Award for Leadership. Esper was awarded a Bronze Star, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and various service medals.
- Douglas Matthews, class of 1983, Matthews was named president and general manager of U.S. Steel Canada in 2007. He currently serves as vice president-tubular operations and president-U. S. Steel Tubular Products with executive responsibility for the company's tubular operations and associated functions.
References
