Schenley High School

Schenley High School was a public high school located in the Hill District and Oakland neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school was part of the Pittsburgh Public Schools district and served students from various neighborhoods, including Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, and Downtown Pittsburgh. Schenley High School had a rich history, with notable alumni such as Gene Kelly, Bill Hillgrove, and Andy Warhol, who attended Carnegie Institute of Technology and later became a renowned artist. The school's legacy is also tied to the University of Pittsburgh, which is located nearby.

● History

Schenley High School was established in 1916 and was named after Mary Schenley, a philanthropist who donated land to the city of Pittsburgh for the construction of Schenley Park. The school's early years were marked by significant growth, with enrollment increasing rapidly as the city's population expanded. During World War I, Schenley High School students participated in various patriotic activities, including bond drives and Red Cross fundraisers, alongside other local schools like Taylor Allderdice High School and Brashear High School. In the 1920s and 1930s, the school became known for its strong athletic programs, with teams competing against rival schools like Langley High School and Peabody High School. Notable figures like Josh Gibson, a famous Negro Leagues baseball player, and Art Blakey, a renowned jazz musician, also attended the school.

● Campus

The Schenley High School campus was located in the Hill District and Oakland neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, near the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The school's building was designed in the Neoclassical style and featured a grand auditorium, a gymnasium, and a swimming pool. The campus was also home to a variety of athletic fields, including a football stadium and a baseball field, which were used by teams from other local schools like Westinghouse High School and Allderdice High School. In addition, the school was located near several cultural attractions, including the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

● Academics

Schenley High School offered a rigorous academic program, with courses in subjects like English literature, mathematics, science, and foreign languages such as Spanish, French, and German. The school was also known for its strong programs in the arts, including music, theater, and visual arts, with many students going on to attend prestigious institutions like the Juilliard School and the Rhode Island School of Design. In addition, Schenley High School had a variety of Advanced Placement courses, including AP English Literature and Composition, AP Calculus, and AP Biology, which prepared students for college and careers. Many graduates went on to attend top universities like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

● Extracurricular Activities

Schenley High School had a wide range of extracurricular activities, including athletic teams, clubs, and organizations. The school's athletic teams, known as the Schenley Spartans, competed in the Pittsburgh City League and won several championships in sports like football, basketball, and track and field. The school also had a variety of clubs, including the Debate Team, the Drama Club, and the School Newspaper, which allowed students to develop their interests and skills outside of the classroom. Many students also participated in community service activities, such as volunteering at the Pittsburgh Food Bank and the American Red Cross, alongside other local organizations like the United Way of Allegheny County and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

● Notable Alumni

Schenley High School had a long list of notable alumni, including famous actors like Gene Kelly and Jeff Goldblum, who attended the school in the 1940s and 1950s. Other notable alumni include Andy Warhol, a renowned artist and founder of the Factory; Bill Hillgrove, a sportscaster who worked for WTAE-TV and the Pittsburgh Steelers; and Josh Gibson, a famous Negro Leagues baseball player who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The school's alumni also include several notable musicians, such as Art Blakey, a jazz drummer and bandleader, and Earl Klugh, a jazz guitarist and composer, who have performed at venues like Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. Additionally, Schenley High School alumni have gone on to become successful politicians, including Tom Murphy, a former mayor of Pittsburgh, and Luke Ravenstahl, a former mayor of Pittsburgh who attended the University of Pittsburgh.