Como Park Senior High School (CPSHS or commonly known as CPHS) is a public high school located in the Lake Como area of Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States, serving grades nine through twelve. Along with six other public high schools, Como Park comprises the Saint Paul Public Schools. Newsweek ranked the school in their "List of the Top High Schools in America" for the fourth time in five years (2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010).
History
Originally opened in 1957, Como Park Junior High School was converted into a senior high school in the fall of 1979, accepting students from the just closed Washington and Murray High Schools, both of which became junior highs that same year. The school originally began with only three classes - sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The freshman class was added in 1980. Construction was not completed when the school year began.
Education
Como Park's average score on the ACT exam was 21.2 compared to a state average of 22.6 and a national average of 21.1. 51.56% of students were considered proficient in reading while 22.08% were proficient in math. The school is currently meeting 83.9% of the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements but is not meeting AYP due to low proficiency in mathematics. Como Park has an AYP graduation rate of 96%.
Enrollment
Como Park is the fourth largest high school in the Saint Paul Public Schools district with 1474 students attending in the 2007-2008 school year. The plurality of students identified as Caucasian, with 32%, while students identifying as Asian and Black composed 31% and 28% of the student body respectively. Finally, 8% of students identified as Hispanic and 1% American Indian. A little more than half, 65%, qualified for Free and Reduced Price Lunch, a measure of poverty. 35% of students have limited English Proficiency and 15% qualify for special education.
Sports
Cougar athletic programs compete in Class AAAA of the Minnesota State High School League.
Fall Sports:
Boys': Cross-Country, Football, Soccer
Girls': Cross-Country, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Volleyball
Winter Sports:
Boys': Basketball, Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Swimming, Wrestling
Girls': Basketball, Gymnastics, Hockey, Nordic Skiing
Spring Sports:
Boys': Baseball, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field, Ultimate
Girls': Badminton, Golf, Softball, Track & Field, Ultimate
City Championships
State Championships
The Boys Basketball team won Section Championships in 2003 and 2008. In 2003, Como Park took 3rd Place in the Class AAAA State Tournament. In 2008, Como lost in the Quarterfinal game of the Class AAAA State Tournament.
The Boys Soccer team won Sectionals Championships in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015. In 2013, Como Park Defeated Hill-Murray in the Class A State Championship game.
Notable alumni
- Josh Blue, stand-up comedian, winner of Last Comic Standing
- Reid Mahon, former pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization and the St. Paul Saints
- Andre Smith, former basketball power forward for North Dakota State University now with the Incheon Electroland Elephants of the Korean Basketball League in South Korea
References
External links
- Como Park Senior High School
- Saint Paul Public Schools Athletic Department Website