- Lower Merion High School, is an American public high school in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania. It was ranked by Newsweek's Jay Mathews Challenge Index as the #979 high school of the United States in 2006.
- The school's student government president for the 2006-07 academic year is Andrew Karasik, a senior who is the former president of the Class of 2007. The athletics teams are known officially as the "Aces," but many are also called the "Bulldogs." Kobe Bryant, a professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association, played for the Lower Merion basketball team for four years.
- History: The school was founded in 1894, when it sat on the south side of Ardmore Avenue (photo), between West Athens and School Lane. Lower Merion High School started with twenty-one staff members under principal "Professor" Charles B. Pennypacker.
- The building burned in 1900 (photo). The high school moved to a new granite and limestone building (photo) in 1910, allowing the Ardmore Avenue building to become an elementary school.
- In 1963, the limestone-and-granite building was demolished and replaced with the current modern structure designed by H.A. Kuljian and Co.
- A second school was built on East Montgomery Ave., sharing the location with the Lower Merion School District Administration building and, from 1922 to 1992, the Lower Merion Township Junior High School, which was known as Ardmore Junior High School. The latter school was demolished in 1992 after a long fight with the community (photo).
- The school had a grounds of 17 acres and has seen several building projects. Around 1943, an adjoining building was added for technical studies along the School House Lane side. It had workshops for teaching auto repair, metal, print (photo), wood-working and drafting. The cafeteria/library wing (photo) was added in 1950 near the Pennypacker athletic field and was designed by Savory, Scheetz and Gilmour. At the same time, General Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold athletic field was opened, in honor of the Lower Merion graduate. Since the 1990s, some rooms in the former Technical Building have been used for art classes and others for technology classes and extracurriculars.
- Academics: Lower Merion is often listed among the top public high schools in the country, and graduates many students each year to the top colleges in the nation academically. However, it offers programs for students with a wide range of abilities, including AP, honors, standard, and modified classes along with supplementary programs for all types of students.
- Basketball team: The Lower Merion High School Basketball team (a.k.a. the "Aces") has won six Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (or "PIAA") Class "AAAA" State Championships, the most by a PIAA Class "AAAA" school, the most recent being in March 2006 under Head Coach Gregg Downer (1990-). The previous year, the Aces, despite being the fourth seed out of District I, conquered the Western bracket and became the lowest seed to ever make it to Hershey for the state championship. In 2006, Lower Merion played with grit and talent, defeating the Clippers in a rematch at the University of Pennsylvania Palestra, and ultimately beating the heavily favored Schenley High School Spartans 60-58. The Aces were led by seniors Ryan Brooks and Garrett Williamson, currently attending Temple University and Saint Joseph's University, respectively.
- Technology and Engineering Club: The Technology and Engineering Club was started by Technology Education teacher Mark Piotrowski during the 2002-2003 school year. The club was primarily a Technology Student Association (TSA) chapter, and also competed in the annual mousetrap competitions at Widener University and in the JETS/TEAMS competition. The 2003-2004 school year was the first year the Technology and Engineering Club to attend the National TSA conference, taking home first place trophies in two events. During the 2005-2006 school year, Lower Merion's FIRST Robotics team was formed, choosing the team name of Dawgma and given the team number of 1712. This was formed under the supervision of English Teacher Rich Kressly, who worked with Mr. Piotrowski to make FIRST a part of the Technology and Engineering Club. During its rookie year, Dawgma competed at the Philadelphia Regional and won the Highest Rookie Seed Award and the Rookie All-Star Award. During the 2006 - 2007 school, Dawgma will compete at Ramp Riot and Duel on the Delaware (off-season competitions), as well as the Philadelphia Regional and an another regional event. In addition to competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), Dawgma will also compete in the FIRST VEX Challenge, which will be coached by Chuck Glick. The Technology and Engineering Club has become the second largest club at Lower Merion, having over 100 registered members during the 2005-2006 year, compared about 10 members during the 2002-2003 year.
- Ultimate: The Lower Merion Babaganouj, an open Ultimate team was created in the 2005-2006 school year with the special efforts of Christian Vanni ('06). In their first season, Babaganouj fared relatively well, taking 5th in the state and sending a group of players to nationals with the regional youth club team. They are currently coached by Christina and Paul Minecci, and are now an official club of the school.
- The Merionite: The Merionite is the official school newspaper of Lower Merion High School. It is completely student run, from the articles to the layout. The Merionte publishes articles by students about sports, school news, arts and entertainment, and editorials. The Merionite is also responsible for selling food at LM football games. The Merionite is distributed monthly to students, parents, teachers and subscribers. There is an estimated readership of 4000 per issue. The official website for The Merionite is www.merionite.org and their email address is merionite@gmail.com.
- Notable alumni: Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold, Class of 1903 -- General of the Army and father of the United States Air Force.
- Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Class of 1942 -- former Army General and U.S. Secretary of State.
- James H. Billington, Class of 1946 -- current Librarian of Congress.
- J Russell Peltz, Class of 1946 -- Hall of Fame boxing promoter.
- Chuck Barris, Class of 1947 -- television game show host.
- Robert Fagles, Class of 1951 -- Professor, poet, and academic, best known for his many translations of ancient Greek classics.
- Gerald M. Levin, Class of 1956 -- Former Chairman and CEO of Time Warner, Inc.
- Lynn Sherr, Class of 1959 -- ABC News correspondent.
- Marshall Herskovitz, Class of 1969 -- television writer and screenwriter.
- Kobe Bryant, Class of 1996 -- professional basketball player, perennial NBA All-Star.
- Jon Christmas, Class of 2001 -- 3 time High School All-American Lacrosse player. Plays MLL Boston Cannons NLL Philadelphia Wings.
- Andrew Sherman -- Author of 13 books and founder of Grow Fast Grow Right.
- Mirah -- singer/songwriter on Olympia-based independent label K Records.
- Nancy Meyers, Class of 1967 -- Writer/Director/Producer. She directed/produced The Holiday (2006), Something's Gotta Give (2003), What Women Want (2000) The Parent Trap (1998). She wrote and wrote/produced Once Upon A Crime (1992), Father of the Bride (1991,) Baby Boom (1987), Irreconcilable Differences (1984), Protocol (1984), Private Benjamin (1980).
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