East High School, Denver

East High School is a historic public high school located in the City Park neighborhood on the east side of Denver. As part of the Denver Public Schools system, it is one of the four original high schools in the city, alongside West, North, and South High Schools. Established in 1875, East High holds the distinction of being Denver's first high school, with its first graduating class in 1877.

Initially, East High was situated at a different location, but by 1889, the need for a larger facility led to its move to 19th and Stout Street, an area now known as "Old East." This location could accommodate up to 700 students. The current East High School building, designed by Denver native and 1893 "Old East" graduate George H. Williamson, features a 162-foot clock tower modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Williamson's design earned national acclaim, and the building itself was declared an official Denver Historic Landmark by the Denver Landmark Commission and the Denver City Council in 1991.

East High has garnered national recognition for its academic excellence over the years. In 1957, it was honored as one of the nation's top high schools, and in 1968, it was selected as one of America's Top Ten Schools. The school's reputation continued into the 21st century, with Newsweek naming it one of America's top hundred public high schools in 2000 and again including it in its annual list of "Top High Schools" in 2008. As of the latest rankings, U.S. News places East High at 23rd in Colorado and 974th nationally.

East High School remains a significant educational institution in Denver, recognized for its historic architecture, academic achievements, and recent efforts to address school safety.