Madison East High School
Madison East High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1922, making it the oldest high school still operating in Madison. The school mascot is the "Purgolder", an animal resembling a puma. Madison East athletes compete in the WIAA Big Eight Conference. Its girls' swim team won the WIAA Division 1 state championship in 2007.
Courses
More than 50% of East's graduates go on to a four-year college, with a large number of additional students attending two year colleges, such as the Madison Area Technical College. Academically motivating, talented and gifted (TAG), and advanced classes are part of the curriculum. Advanced Placement (AP) courses include calculus AB, calculus BC, French V, Spanish V, music theory, psychology, macroeconomics, microeconomics, European history and computer science. Courses are available in advanced physics, advanced chemistry, anatomy, aviation, literature, composition, creative writing, speed reading, and computer programming.
The school also has a music program. The band program includes Freshman Band, Concert Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band and the highest level, Sinfonietta. The orchestra program includes the Concert Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra. The choir program has both concert choirs and show choirs. The concert choirs include Chorale, Women's Choir and Concert Choir. The Show Choirs include Mad City Swing and Encore Show Choir.
Madison East has an inside "mall", which was built from bricks from the older building before the school was expanded. This area is home to most of the lockers in the school, but also serves as a hang-out place for students. The forum is normally reserved for freshman, but upperclassmen are also allowed to recreate in this location. Above the freshman forum is the 'Sophomore Wall'; closer to the cafeteria are the 'Junior and Senior' walls.
Athletics
East's sports include softball, volleyball, football, baseball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, gymnastics, wrestling, cross country, basketball,ice hockey and swimming. Hockey was a school success for many years, with the team winning several state championships. More recently, the hockey team has been combined with the team from La Follette, another high school on the east side of Madison, because of a lack of funding and participation.
The girls' swim team won the WIAA Division 1 state title in 2007, and was runner-up in 2008, despite having a small state-qualifying team consisting of fewer than 10 swimmers.
The boys' tennis team competed in the state tournament in the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 seasons.
The girls' tennis team competed in the state tournament in the 1995, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons.
Theater
The Margaret Williams Theater in East High School was once magnificent, with an upper balcony, a back section under the balcony, and an enormous chandelier. However, in the 1970s, the theater was renovated and the upper balcony was walled up to allow for the creation of the Barrett and Randall rooms as study halls. The chandelier was removed and the theater's seats were replaced with desks for more study halls. Currently, there is an effort to raise funds to renovate the theater.
Notable alumni
Connie Carpenter-Phinney (class of '75), professional cycle racer/speed skater and 1984 Summer Olympics Gold Medalist
Dale Hackbart (class of '56), NFL linebacker/safety, Green Bay Packers (1960), Washington Redskins (1961-1963), Minnesota Vikings (1966-1970), St. Louis Cardinals (1971-1972), Denver Broncos (1973)
Donald Hayes, NFL wide receiver, Carolina Panthers (1998-2001, 2004), New England Patriots (2002-2003)
Gabe Jennings, (class of '97) middle distance runner who competed in the 1,500 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
Jerry Kelly (class of '85), professional golfer, Nike Tour (1995), PGA Tour (1996-current}
Greg Mattison, NFL and NCAA football coach
Jim Montgomery (class of '73), swimmer and gold medalist at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Pat Richter, NFL tight end, Washington Redskins (1963-1970), University of Wisconsin–Madison Athletic Director (1989-2004)
Bradley Whitford (class of 1977), actor, most well-known for his work on the television series The West Wing.
Bob Suter, professional hockey player and member of the 1980 USA Miracle Team
James Davidson, United States Navy Chief Petty Officer
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