Destrehan High School

Updated on Jan 12, 2024

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School type Public Principal Stephen Weber Gender Co-Ed Number of students 1,402 (2009–2010) Teaching staff 104 (2009–2010)		CEEB code 190685 Grades 9-12 Phone +1 985-764-9946 Student to teacher ratio 13.49 (2009–2010) Colors Grey, Garnet

School district St. Charles Parish Public School System Address 1 Wildcat Ln, Destrehan, LA 70047, USA District St. Charles Parish Public School System

Destrehan high school 2016 graduation

Destrehan High School is a public high school located in Destrehan, Louisiana. The St. Charles Parish Public School System school serves all students on the East bank of the Mississippi River in grades 9 through 12.

It serves the communities of Destrehan, Montz, New Sarpy, Norco, and St. Rose.

Destrehan high school fight song

History

Destrehan High School, a public secondary school, is located on the east bank of St. Charles Parish in Destrehan, Louisiana, approximately twenty-five miles west of New Orleans.

In 1923, St. Charles Parish approved a bond issue for school construction. On September 15, 1924, the Destrehan High School facility received 234 pupils in grades one through eleven. Destrehan's first graduating class consisted of Placide Hotard and Eldridge Gervais.

In 1969, then all-black Mary M. Bethune High School was closed, bringing an end to racially segregated schools and forcing the two student bodies to be combined. Elementary-aged children attended schools directed by court guidelines, and high school students were moved to Destrehan High School.

The process of integrating the two student bodies caused several disruptions. On October 7, 1974, students were sent home early after racially motivated fights broke out in the school. Another incident between a bus full of black students and white parents and students resulted in 13-year-old Timothy Weber, who was standing outside with his mother, being shot. Gary Tyler, a black student, was arrested and later convicted of the murder. At the time, the case garnered considerable national attention. Since the conviction, Amnesty International has twice identified the case as a miscarriage of justice. A federal appeals court ruled Tyler did not receive a fair trial, but he was never retried and remained in prison until being released in May 2016.

The original high school located on River Road closed after the completion of the 1974 school year. The new campus located at its current location on Wildcat Lane opened with the start of the 1975 school year.

In 2014, two instructors were arrested for having illegal amorous relations with a 16-year-old student. In early 2016, a third teacher was criminally charged for a similar offense.

Alma Mater

On sacred lands beyond compareWhere river echoes fall,Stands Destrehan our school so true,To thee we pledge our all.Our spirit and our loyaltyFor thee will never die.Our love will live eternally,Till stars fade from the sky.Thy learned walls our hearts enthrall,Thy teachings do inspire.The tender glow our hearts bestowGrows steadily to fire.And as the years go slowly byWe ever will be true.The years we've spent, so much they've meantThough life fades from our view.

Athletics

The Destrehan High School athletic teams, known as the Fighting Wildcats and Lady Cats, compete in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA).

Football

The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats football team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Fighting Wildcats play their home games at 5,000-seat Wildcat Stadium. They are coached by Stephen Robicheaux.

State championships
The Fighting Wildcats have won five LHSAA state championships.

The 2007 state championship team finished the season ranked 22nd in the nation and the 2008 state championship team finished the season ranked 18th in the nation. Those teams were part of a 30-game winning streak from 2007 to September 2009.

District championships
The Fighting Wildcats have won twenty LHSAA district championships.

1949, 1958, 1963, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1981, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Playoffs
The Fighting Wildcats have made the LHSAA playoffs thirty-eight times.

1941, 1949, 1958, 1963, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Fighting Wildcats players in the NFL

Baseball

The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats baseball team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Fighting Wildcats play their home games at Fighting Wildcats Baseball Field.

State championships
The Fighting Wildcats have won one LHSAA state championship.

Boy's basketball

The Destrehan Fighting Wildcats basketball team competes in District 7-5A in the LHSAA. The Fighting Wildcats play their home games at Destrehan Gymnasium.