El Dorado High School (Arkansas)

El Dorado High School is an accredited comprehensive public secondary school located in El Dorado, Arkansas, United States. The high school serves students in grades 9 through 12 for the community of El Dorado and surrounding unincorporated communities in Union County, Arkansas. El Dorado High School is administered by the El Dorado School District. El Dorado High School's principal is Alva Reibe. The school has won 26 state athletic championships.

Academics

The assumed course of study for students follows the Smart Core curriculum developed by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). Students complete regular (core and elective) and career focus courses and exams and may select Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and exams that provide an opportunity for college credit.

In 2011, El Dorado School District and its high school were recognized in the AP District of the Year Awards program in the College Board's 1st Annual Honor Roll that consisted of 388 U.S. public school districts (2 in Arkansas) that simultaneously achieved increases in access to AP® courses for a broader number of students and improved the rate at which their AP students earned scores of 3 or higher on an AP Exam.^[2]

In 2012, Dumas High School was ranked No. 1,108 of 2,008 high schools in the nation rated in the Challenge Index with an index score of 1.852.^[3]

The El Dorado Promise

A strikingly unique feature of El Dorado High School is the educational opportunities available to students. In January 2007, Murphy Oil Corporation made a $50 million promise to the students of El Dorado public schools and the community. Known as the El Dorado Promise, this scholarship program provides students who graduate from the El Dorado School District with a scholarship to be used at any accredited two- or four-year educational institution in the United States. The maximum amount payable will be equal to the highest tuition cost payable at any Arkansas public university. The Promise makes a college scholarship as easy as going to school, graduating and getting a scholarship. Since the introduction of the El Dorado Promise, graduates from El Dorado School District that enroll in college have increased more than 20 percent. Also, school enrollment has increased three percent after a 20-year decline. More information about the El Dorado Promise may be found by visiting the El Dorado Promise website: . Due to clarification letters received by students dated August 5, 2011 and sent by the Promise Director (S. Thompson); it is stated that "if all of your invoiced expenses are covered by other scholarships and/or grants, then your Promise funds will go to help future Promise recipients and will not be refunded to you." This means that the Promise will pay last and many students will not receive the benefit of it.

The El Dorado Education Foundation

The district also receives support from the El Dorado Education Foundation (EDEF), a nonprofit organization that recognizes academic excellence through programs such as academic chairs, teacher grants, teacher excellence awards and Academic Signing Day. In the past 11 years, the Foundation has awarded over $525,500 to educators who propose innovative projects to enhance learning. Perhaps the most noteworthy contribution of the EDEF has been its assistance in the establishment of the nation’s first elementary and secondary school endowed chair program in mathematics, science, foreign language and literacy.^[4]

Campus history

In March 2009 a new high school construction went underway and was completed in June 2011. The new school is for 1,500 students and will is a 320,000 square feet (30,000 m²) 2-story structure made of wood, masonry, concrete and steel. Located in the original 1920s oil field, the project included a 2,000 seat arena/gymnasium, 450-seat fine arts auditorium and seven classroom zones on a site totaling 62 acres.^[5]

Murphy Oil’s $50 million gift to education in El Dorado set the wheels in motion for the new school.

The new EHS also includes more than 100 classrooms and instructional spaces, six dedicated computer labs, media center, theater with sloped and tiered lecture seating, a basketball arena, 75-seat “black box” theatre, 13 science labs, “Main Street” circulation corridors and central octunda, and an 8,000 sq ft (740 m²) student dining/commons with serving area.

Key Facts:

• Cost: $43.3 million
• Start/Completion: March 2009/June 2011
• Owner: El Dorado Public School District #15
• General Contractor: Baldwin & Shell Construction Co., Little Rock, Arkansas.
• Architect: CADM Architecture Inc.
• Civil Engineer: Hunt Guillot Associates LLC, Ruston, Louisiana.
• Structural Engineer: Engineering Consultants Inc.
• MEP Engineer: TME Inc.

Extracurricular activities

The El Dorado High School mascot and athletic emblem is the wildcat with purple and white serving as the school colors.^[6]

The El Dorado Wildcats and Ladycats compete in several interscholastic athletic activities including: football, cross country, baseball, girls softball, basketball, golf, track & field, girls volleyball, tennis, and soccer. For 2012–14, EHS is member of the 6A Classification and the 7A/6A South Conference as administered by the Arkansas Activities Association.^[6]

Football

The El Dorado High School football team are 9-time state champions and are the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013 6A Arkansas State Champions; previously winning state football championships in 1924,1932, 1933, 1942 and 1958. They have made it to the 6A Arkansas State Finals five out of the last six years starting back in 2008. Since 2007 the Wildcats have a 72-20 overall record with three 6A State Championships. The current head football coach is Scott Reed. Under Reed the Wildcats are 72-20 overall, 17-3 in the playoffs, and 4-1 in Arkansas State Football Championships.^[7]

2009 championship season

2009 Record: Overall Record: 12-1^[7]

On December 5, 2009, the El Dorado High School Wildcat football team defeated the Pine Bluff High School Zebras 27-20 to clinch the 2009 Arkansas AAAAAA State Championship. This was their first state title in football since 1958. The Wildcats were quarterbacked by the head coach's son, Taylor Reed, who was a Junior at the time. Cameron Mahone was the MVP of the 2009 AAAAAA Arkansas State Football Finals.

After the conclusion of the 2009 season, Head Coach Scott Reed was honored with his first AAAAAA Arkansas Football Coach of the Year award. Reed's team finished ranked the 132nd team in the nation, and 5th in Arkansas.^[7]

2010 championship season

2010 Record: Overall Record: 12-1^[7]

On November 4, 2010, the El Dorado High School Wildcat football team beat the Pine Bluff High School Zebras 34-26 to win the 2010 Arkansas 6A-South Conference Championship.

On December 4, 2010, the El Dorado High School football team defeated the Texarkana High School Razorbacks 31-21 to clinch the 2010 Arkansas 6A State Championship. This is the first time in the school's history that it has won consecutive Arkansas State Football Championships. The team finished ranked 602nd in the nation, a noticeable step-back from last year, and 7th in Arkansas.^[7]

The Wildcats were once again led by now Senior, and future University of Memphis signee, Taylor Reed. During this season, Taylor Reed broke the El Dorado High School record for Total Career Passing Yards, Passing Touchdowns, and Pass Completions held by former 2008 quarterback Paul Anzalone. Taylor Reed was the MVP of the 2010 6A Arkansas State Football Finals.

2011 championship season

2011 Record: Overall Record: 13-1^[7]

On December 2, 2011, the El Dorado High School football team defeated the Lake Hamilton High School Wolves 24-20 to win their third AAAAAA State Championship in 3 many years.^[8]

During the course of the 2011 season, Junior running back Marque Burris rushed for over 3,000 yards, setting the El Dorado High School record for most rushing yards in a single season. The Wildcats were led by Lucas Reed, the brother of former El Dorado quarterback Taylor Reed, and also the son of Scott Reed, the head coach. Marque Burris was the MVP of the 2011 AAAAAA Arkansas State Football Finals.

After the conclusion of the 2011 season, Head Coach Scott Reed was honored with his second 6A Arkansas Football Coach of the Year award. The Wildcats finished ranked 467th nationally, and 5th in Arkansas.^[7]

2013 Championship Season

2013 Record: Overall Record: 9-5^[9]

On December 14, 2013 El Dorado defeated the Pine Bluff Zebras 31-24 for the AAAAAA State Championship in Little Rock, AR at War Memorial Stadium. Senior quarterback Clayton Waldrum was announced as 2013 AAAAAA State Championship MVP.^[9]

Current coaching staff

Basketball

Wildcat basketball

The boys basketball team are 2-time state basketball champions by winning title games in 1976 and 1982.

LadyCat basketball

At the conclusion of the 2011 LadyCat basketball season, the El Dorado LadyCat basketball team earned its first ever state championship in school history by defeating Little Rock Parkview. The LadyCats are led by head coach Stephen Harshaw.

Golf

The Wildcats golf team are one of the state's most successful as 9-time state golf champions winning four consecutive titles (1950–53), three consecutive titles (1966–68), followed by titles in 1973 and 1987.

Since 2000, the girls team are one of the state's most consistent winning titles in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Swimming

The boys swimming team won its only state swimming championship in 1965. Baseball The 2012 Wildcats claimed the 6A State Championship with 5-3 win over Sherdian. Blake Clayton was named MVP of the state tournament

Notable alumni

• Craig Durrett (Class of 1973)—Journalist
• Glen Ray Hines—Former professional American football player (NFL).
• Jim Mooty—Former professional American football player (NFL).
• R. B. Sprague—Artist; contemporary and realist painting.
• J. R. Williamson—Former professional American football player (NFL).

School Description

School District Details

• Graduation Rate: 77.1%
• Dropout Rate: 2.0%
• Students Per Teacher: 14.0
• Enrolled Students in district: 4,643
• Enrolled students in El Dorado High School: 1,368
• Ranks 204 out of 278 high schools in Arkansas.

Faculty Details and Student Enrollment

Students and Faculty

• total students enrolled 1,368
• Average student to teacher ratio 12.8

Student Gender Breakdown

• Males: 679 (49.6%)
• Females: 689 (50.4%)

Free Lunch Eligibility Breakdown

• Eligible for Reduced Lunch: 90 (6.6%)
• Eligible for Free Lunch: 621 (45.4%)
• Eligible for Either Reduced or Free Lunch: 711 (52.0%)

Student Enrollment Distribution by Race / Ethnicity