Ponce High School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ponce High School
Partial front facade view of Ponce High School in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Address
37 Cristina Street Ponce , Puerto Rico 00733
Information
School type	Public secondary
Founded	1902
School district	Ponce District II
Principal	Dra. Gloria Rodriguez
Grades	10–12
Enrollment	1650+ (2010)
Language	Spanish
Area	Ponce Historic Zone
Color(s)	Black, & Red
Mascot	Lion

Ponce High School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in Puerto Rico
Location	Cristina Street, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	by 1915
Architect	Adrian C. Finlayson
Architectural style	Neoclassical
NRHP reference No.	87001310
Added to NRHP	4 August 1987

Ponce High School is a public school in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It teaches students from 10th to 12th grade. The school's main building is a very old and important structure. It is located on Cristina Street, in the Ponce Historic Zone.

From its start, Ponce High has been special in Puerto Rico's education. It was the largest school of its kind in the early 1900s. For many years, it had more students than all other high schools in Puerto Rico combined. The main building was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Today, the school has the only "diamond-level" DECA chapter in Puerto Rico. This makes it a top school for business and leadership programs. Ponce High School is also the oldest high school in Puerto Rico that is still open.

A Look at Ponce High School's History

The story of Ponce High School began in January 1899. On January 25, 1899, a big fire happened where the school now stands. This fire is known as the "Fuego del Polvorín," or the Fire of the Ammunition Depot. At that time, the area was used by the U.S. Army to store ammunition. A special marker today shows where the fire took place.

In November 1899, the new American government decided to open a public high school in Ponce. This school would be like those in the United States. The first group of Ponce High School students started in 1902. As new buildings were finished, students moved into them. The Roosevelt Industrial School was built in 1903. A two-story building for the Ruiz Gandia Grammar School was added in 1904-1905. Another building, called the McKinley building, was ready for the 1907-1908 school year. The main, historic Ponce High School building on Cristina Street began construction in 1915. It officially opened its doors in 1920.

Where is Ponce High School Located?

The school is in the Tercero neighborhood of Ponce. It faces Cristina Street to the north. To the south, it is bordered by Comercio Street. Salud Street is to the west, and Trujillo Street is to the east.

Ponce High School is only two blocks away from Plaza Las Delicias, a famous town square. It is also across the street from the Ponce Free School of Music. The school is just one block from Teatro La Perla, a well-known theater.

The School's Design and Look

The main and most historic building faces north. Behind it, there is a large concrete yard. This yard has several other school buildings. The main building is built in the neoclassical style. This means it looks like old Greek and Roman buildings. It has a raised entrance area and a lobby.

The school library is on the first floor. The auditorium, a large hall for events, is on the second floor. Hallways with arches lead to classrooms on both sides of the lobby. This design creates two open patio areas inside the building. There are also several staircases. Some classrooms are even found in the building's basement.

The front of the building is very detailed. It has Doric columns and pilasters that go up two stories. There are also matching triangular shapes called pediments at each end. A special crowning piece with a clock is right above the main entrance. The building has flat roofs and wide ledges. Most windows are made of wood with louvers, which are angled slats. Some have been replaced with metal ones.

A very important part of Ponce High School is its tall auditorium. It has a big stage and a U-shaped wooden balcony. The classrooms get a lot of light and air. The original wooden floors are still in the library, auditorium, and many classrooms. Hallways and stairs are made of concrete. The lobby has shiny concrete tiles and original iron grilles with cool designs.

Even with some changes over the years, the school still looks grand. Its large size, balanced design, and classic details make it a very impressive building.

Why Ponce High School is Important

Ponce High School is one of the five best school buildings built in Puerto Rico in the early 1900s. It is also one of the most impressive. Between 1900 and 1925, over 3,000 schools were built on the island. Only four of them had fully equipped auditoriums, not just assembly rooms. Ponce High School was one of these special four.

This school shows the ideas for school buildings that were popular in the United States at the time. It was one of the first large construction projects by the American government in Puerto Rico. The neoclassical style used for Ponce High School became popular for other school buildings on the island. Today, Ponce High School is one of the most respected and grand buildings in Ponce. Its architectural style, size, and overall beauty make it stand out.

The Architect Behind the Design

The exact name of the architect for Ponce High School is not fully known. However, many clues point to Adrian C. Finlayson as its designer. At that time, Mr. Finlayson was the architect for the government's Interior Department. He was responsible for many other buildings that were similar in use, size, and style. Because of his work, he is a very important person in Puerto Rico's architectural history. Most historians agree that Finlayson was indeed the architect.

Ponce High School's Historic Setting

The school is located on a block surrounded by other important school buildings. This adds to its special role in the city. The land itself is historic. It was once the site of U.S. Army barracks before a big fire destroyed them. This event is still well-remembered in Ponce.

Leaders of Ponce High School: A List of Principals

• Horace O. Wells (around 1903)
• E. N. Gerrish (around 1911)
• Charles H. Terry (around 1915)
• C. McKroskey (around 1916)
• E. D. Brown (around 1920)
• Mariano Villaronga-Toro (around 1936)
• Charles O. Hamill (around 1944-1950)
• Esther Renaud de Pagan (around 1963)
• Ruth Fotuño de Calzada (around 1960s)
• Ana Adela de Armas (1970-1985)
• Lydia Quiñones Capo (around 1987 - 2012)
• Axel Rivera Rouchet (2012 - 2014)
• Jeniffer Machado (2014–Present)

Famous People Who Attended Ponce High School

Many important people from Puerto Rico went to Ponce High School. Three of Puerto Rico's governors graduated from here. The school's auditorium also hosted many drama events. These events helped shape Puerto Rican theater. The architecture of Ponce High School is very important for its history, style, and what it means to the community.

Notable Alumni from Ponce High School

• Pedro Albizu Campos, a leader for Puerto Rican independence
• Rosa Collazo, a leader for Puerto Rican independence
• María Teresa Babín Cortés, a writer
• Juan H. Cintrón García (class of 1936), a mayor of Ponce
• José N. Gándara, a doctor
• César Luis González Cardona, a military pilot
• Manuel González Pató, a physical education professor
• Felix Maldonado, a baseball player
• Francisco "Paquito" Montaner, a baseball player
• Elin Ortiz, an actor
• Bolívar Pagán a historian, journalist, and politician
• Francisco Porrata Doria, an architect
• Ernesto Ramos Antonini, a politician
• Teodoro Moscoso, a diplomat and politician
• Mariana Suarez de Longo, an educator
• Luis Torres Nadal, a playwright
• Mariano Villaronga Toro, a public servant

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in southern Puerto Rico
• List of high schools in Puerto Rico
• Campo Atlético Charles H. Terry