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Mt. Lebanon High School
Public school in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mt. Lebanon High School is a four-year, comprehensive high school located in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. It has an enrollment of 1,789 students in grades 9–12 for the 2023–2024 school year. Its mascot is the Blue Devil. Mt. Lebanon High School is considered a state and national leader in the field of education and is a nationally recognized and award-winning high school, receiving multiple Blue Ribbon School awards. [4] It also one of 24 public high school institutions in the world to hold a chapter of the Cum Laude Society, an organization that honors academic achievement at secondary institutions. [5][6] According to state test scores, 93% of students are advanced in math and 91% advanced in reading.[7]
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History
The school was originally built in 1927, and was described after being built as one of the most advanced schools in the state.[8] The school had two additions added in 1956 and 1957. Ground was broken in 1970 for an addition, which was completed in 1972. This addition added another six-story building connected to the original building, an arts wing connected to the auditorium, and a new gymnasium.[9] Ninth grade students were later added to the school due to overcrowding at the junior high schools.
In 2012, construction started for the Science Wing and a new Athletic Building that included a new pool, a main gym, two smaller gyms, and an exercise center. Remaining portions of the school that were renovated include the 1930 wing on Cochran Road, the Auditorium, and Fine Arts Wing. These were completed in 2017. In addition, the old South Gym was renovated into the Center Court, which functions as the cafeteria, and is located to be accessible from all main courses.[8]
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Athletics
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The sports teams compete in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League - District 7 of the PIAA. The teams go by the name "Blue Devils" and the school mascot is the Blue Devil. The student section is known as the Devil's Den. It is often considered one of the largest and most passionate student sections in Pennsylvania.[10]
The high school has a sports rivalry with Upper St. Clair High School, which is often considered one of Pennsylvania's most storied rivalries.[11] The schools are neighboring communities, with Upper St. Clair High School around 3 miles (5 km) south of Mt. Lebanon High School. Both schools are among the highest performing and wealthiest in the state.[12] The rivalry has garnered comparisons with the North Carolina-Duke rivalry,[13] with matchups between the two often gaining media attention from local and regional stations.
In 2021, Mt. Lebanon football coach Bob Palko was awarded the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award, following an undefeated season, winning the WPIAL 6A title, and the PIAA 6A state title.[14] Palko led Mt. Lebanon to a spot in the national rankings.[15]
PIAA State Championships
- Football
- 1 PIAA state championship (2021)[16]
- Baseball (Boys)
- 1 PIAA state championship (1998)[17]
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Boys: 12 PIAA state titles (1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1998)[19]
- Football
- 1 PIAA state championship (2021)[20]
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Swimming
- Girls: 1 PIAA state championship (2002)[24]
- Volleyball
- Girls: 2 PIAA state titles (1997 and 2000)[25]
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Academics
As of 2025, the school's average ACT score for students is a 30, and the school's average SAT score is a 1290.[26]
The school offers 24 AP courses.[27]
According to state test scores, 93% of students are at least advanced in math and 91% advanced in reading.[28]
Facilities
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Mt. Lebanon High School is located on 26 acres in the western Pennsylvania hills.[29] The indoor athletic facilities are connected to the Mt. Lebanon High School Center Court and academic buildings via a glass skybridge, recently named McFeeley Way, after the late high school principal Brian McFeeley.[30]
High School Buildings
A Building - Child development labs, food and nutrition labs, art rooms, staircase leading to center court
B Building (6-story original Mt. Lebanon High School) - Academic based and classrooms, writing labs, computer labs
C Building (6-story science wing) - Science classrooms and research labs
D Building (Fine Arts Complex) - Fine arts theater, main auditorium, music studios, visual arts studios
E Building (STEM Wing) - Full production television studio, engineering and graphics labs,
Indoor Athletic Building (connected by skybridge) - gymnasiums, fitness rooms, weight rooms, indoor pools
Academic & Instructional Facilities [31]
- Library and media center
- Full production digital media and television studio
- Multiple computer labs
- Writing labs
- Science wing
- Child development labs
- Food and nutrition labs
- Applied engineering and graphics labs
- Multiple biology and chemistry research labs
- Outdoor greenhouse
- Solar Flower
- Mathematics Lab
Athletic Facilities [29]
- Three full-size gymnasiums
- Indoor swimming pool
- Athletic weight room
- Six tennis courts
- 7,200-seat stadium
- Three synthetic turf multi purpose fields
- Synthetic running track
- Grass baseball field
- Two synthetic turf baseball fields
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Three indoor tennis courts
- Two ice rinks
- Pickleball courts
- Bocce courts
- Sand volleyball courts
- Two outdoor basketball courts
- Platform tennis courts
- Recreation Center
- Two wrestling rooms
Fine Arts & Media Facilities [32]
- Main auditorium
- Two theaters
- Visual arts studios
- Two professional dance studios
- Choral rooms
- Music studios
- Practice rooms
- Full production digital media and television studio
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Research
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In 2015, AP Environmental Geoscience students from Mt. Lebanon High School launched a weather balloon from the school stadium for atmospheric research. The balloon was equipped with GPS tracking and cameras, the balloon broke through to the upper atmosphere, capturing atmospheric data.[33]
In April 2024, Mt Lebanon High School students presented and published award winning research at the Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair. These include a research project on trace sunscreen contamination and algae growth, a hydrogen battery constructed via pressurized alkaline electrolysis and fuel cell earning an affiliate award, and a machine learning project aimed at early ALS diagnosis[34]
In May 2024, Mt. Lebanon High School science club members published research competing at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science State Competition receiving the first place award in computer science, a second place in physics plus a perseverance award, first place in mathematics and the Mathematical Excellence Award.[35]
In April 2025, Mt. Lebanon High School students presented award winning research to the Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair. This research included a linear phased array radar development project, research in nanostructuring and thermal properties of silicon‑germanium, and several other student projects.[36]
The school offers a STEM Academy that provides students with opportunities to engage in STEM-related courses, career connections, promoting hands-on learning and exploration in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.[37]
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Arts and extracurricular activities
In the 2002–03 school year, the high school received one of six Outstanding School Awards from the Educational Theatre Association.[38] The school's theater program began in 1930 and has produced a number of notable actors.[39]
In 2006, the fine arts department was rated one of eight finest nationwide by the U.S. Department of Education.[38]
In 2007, the American Music Conference listed Mt. Lebanon High school as one of the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education".[40] Mount Lebanon Percussion ensemble were invited by the NHL to perform at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic on live TV for the country.[41] The Mt. Lebanon Forensic Team won the Western Pennsylvania District Forensic Championship four years in a row, beginning in 2001. In 2004, the team won the state championship in dramatic interpretation and extemporaneous speaking and then earned a second-place title in extemporaneous speaking at the national competition in Salt Lake City.[42] In 2006, the team captured the Pennsylvania High School Speech League championship.[43]
The Devil's Advocate is Mt. Lebanon High School's monthly student newspaper.
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Awards and rankings
In 2019, Mt. Lebanon High School received the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School award for its leadership in sustainability and environmental education while promoting health and wellness.[44]
In 2024, the high school placed in the top 4% nationally by performance metrics including state-required tests and college readiness.[45]
In 2025, the U.S. News & World Report ranked Mt. Lebanon High School the number one high school in the Pittsburgh region, and the 7th best in Pennsylvania. [46]
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In popular culture
Filmography
Mt. Lebanon High School has been used as a filming location for multiple films or television programs, including the following:
Gung Ho (1986) - starring Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton [47]
Bob Roberts (1992) - starring Jack Black, Alan Rickman, and John Cusack [48]
Mt. Lebanon High School was the subject of an episode of CBS 60 Minutes, following a MRSA outbreak on the school's football team.[49]
Elk Cloner Virus
In the 1980's, the school garnered national media attention after 15 year old student Rich Skrenta created the Elk Cloner virus, the first widespread computer virus. Skrenta claimed to have created Elk Cloner as a playful experiment for his friends. The virus would eventually spread and infect Apple II computers throughout the 1980's.[50]
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Notable alumni
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Mt. Lebanon is noted for having an extensive alumni network. This includes prominent figures in business, politics, entertainment, education, and athletics[51]
- Eric Angle (born 1967) - professional wrestler
- Kurt Angle (born 1968) - Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling and former professional wrestler
- Troy Apke (born 1995) - NFL cornerback and special teamer
- Matt Bartkowski (born 1988) - ice hockey defenseman
- Richard Baumhammers (born 1965) - spree killer and former immigration lawyer[52]
- Carl Betz (1921-1978) - actor
- Mia Bhuta (born 2005) - soccer player[53]
- Patti Burns (1952-2001) - journalist and TV news anchor
- Kenyen Brown (born 1969 or 1970) - United States attorney [54]
- Frank Capelli (1952-2018) - actor and singer[55]
- Twink Caplan (born 1947) - actress and producer
- Christina Cindrich (born 1981 or 1982) - actress and television host
- Ruth Colker (born 1956) - scholar, lawyer, and distinguished professor [56]
- Susan J. Crawford (born 1947) - lawyer[57]
- Gwyn Cready (born 1962) - author
- Brian Cuban (born 1961) - attorney and author
- Mark Cuban (born 1958) - billionaire entrepreneur, reality TV star of Shark Tank, and former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks
- Ave Daniell (1914-1999) - football tackle
- Jim Daniell (1918-1983) - NFL football player
- Jon Delano, journalist [58]
- Todd DePastino - author and history professor
- Q. Todd Dickinson (1952-2020) - USC(IP) and USPTO director[59]
- Daya (born 1998) - singer
- Sandra Moore Faber (born 1944) - world renowned astrophysicist specializing in the evolution of galaxies and National Medal of Science recipient [60]
- Scott Ferrall (born 1965) - radio personality[61]
- Dave Filoni (born 1974) - director, Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm
- Greg Fenves (born 1957) - 21st President of Emory University and 28th President of the University of Texas[62]
- John Fitsioris - professional basketball player
- John E. Frank (born 1962) - surgeon and former footballer
- Matt Kennedy Gould, American former television personality and basketball coach
- Ian Happ (born 1994) - MLB player[63]
- Terry Hart (born 1946) - former NASA astronaut and engineer
- Timothy Hauser (1948-2005) - economist with the United States Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Labor Statistics; two time winner of the Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Executive winner
- Newt Heisley - commercial artist and designer of the POW/MIA flag[64]
- Stuart A. Herrington - (born 1972 or 1971) author and retired counterintelligence officer
- Bob Hoag - record producer [65]
- David Hollander, actor and film producer[66]
- Gillian Jacobs (born 1982) - actress[67]
- Paige Kassalen (born 1993) – Electrical engineer who was the only American, female engineer, and youngest member of the ground crew for the Solar Impulse 2 project
- Don T. Kelly (born 1980) - MLB player and coach
- Dan Klein (born c.1976) - computer science professor[68][69]
- Caroline Klivans (born 1977) - mathematician
- Rich Lackner (born 1956) - football coach
- Dick Lamm (1935-2021) - former governor of Colorado and Presidential candidate
- Vince Lascheid (1923-2009) - Pittsburgh Pirates and Penguins organist
- Daniel London (born 1973) - actor
- Joe Manganiello (born 1976) - actor
- Andrew Mason (born 1981) - Founder and CEO of Groupon[70]
- Matt McConnell (born 1963) - television Broadcaster, Arizona Coyotes
- Terri Minsky (born 1957) - television writer, producer
- Linn F. Mollenauer (1937-2021) - physicist and author [71]
- William D. Morgan (1947-1969) - U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient
- Judith O'Dea (born 1945) – actress
- John O'Hara (born 1959) - professional soccer player
- Rick Peterson (born 1954) - baseball coach and former pitcher
- Bill Roth (born 1964 or 1965) - Virginia Tech University play-by-play television announcer
- Lynn Scarlett (born 1948 or 1949) - government official, environmental policy executive and analyst who served as United States Deputy Secretary of the Interior [72]
- Rich Skrenta (born 1967) - computer programmer
- Colby Sorsdal (born 2000) - NFL offensive lineman
- John P. Surma (born 1954) - businessman, former CEO of US Steel, minority owner of Pittsburgh Penguins
- Carole Beebe Tarantelli (born 1942) - Italian parliament member; first American citizen to be elected to the Italian Chamber of Duties [73]
- Gerald Bard Tjoflat (born 1929) - lawyer and jurist serving as Senior United States circuit judge and in the US Court of Appeals in the eleventh circuit
- Bob Ufer (1920-1981) - University of Michigan play-by-play announcer[74]
- Ann M. Valentine (born 1971 or 1972) - Yale University bioinorganic chemist and researcher [75]
- Ming-Na Wen (born 1963) - actress[76]
- Brian S. Williams (born 1966) - NFL football center
- Josh Wilson (born 1981) - MLB player
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Notable staff
- Orlando Antigua (born 1973) - basketballer; was assistant basketball coach
- Armen Gilliam (1964-2011) - basketballer; was a volunteer assistant coach[77]
- George Savarese (born 1965) - radio personality and educator; currently teaching at Mt. Lebanon
- Paul Tortorella (born 1963) - football coach; was a linebackers coach
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
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