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The History of Pleasure Ridge Park High School
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Pleasure Ridge Park High School began as one of 28 new Jefferson County Schools built between 1952 and 1958. The three-story building was first opened for classes on September 3, 1958. Leading PRP as principal was Mr. John H. Pollock. During the school's early years, students in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades attended PRP, with a grade added each year until 1962, the year of the first graduating class. The Advance Program curriculum for academically eligible students made its debut during this time, with the first Advance Program classes appearing on schedules in 1959. |
 John H. Pollock Principal 1958-1964 |
 The first yearbook, 1959 |
 The Snowman |
 Bobby Green Principal 1964-1973 |
In 1964, Mr. Pollock stepped down from his position as principal. Mr. Bobby Green took the helm of the growing school. By that time, the student body was so large that double sessions were required for three years. The year 1966 marked the addition of four portables, which spelled the end of double sessions. During Mr. Green's administration, the football team played the first-ever "Snow Bowl", the game against archrival Valley High School. The first game was a 33-6 victory for the Panthers. This started the tradition of playing the game annually for possession of a papier-mâché "Snowman". |
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Mr. Claude Purvis was named PRP's principal in 1973, and it was during his tenure that the Jefferson County Public School System experienced a landmark change, desegregation. In his final year, Purvis was temporarily transferred to the Board of Education to help with the 1977 JCTA strike negotiations. In his absence, Mr. Oliver Williams became acting principal. During this administration, the soccer team was formed, and the football team experienced a rebirth, claiming its first district title in 12 years. PRP's academic teams also excelled as the 1977-78 year marked the first in a series of State Championships for the High-Q Quiz Team. A new multimedia annex was built on the site of the common area known as "The Courtyard". |
 Claude Purvis Principal 1973-1977 |
 High-Q Trophy |  Multimedia annex |
 Charles W. Miller Principal 1978-2003 |
Neither Mr. Purvis nor Mr. Williams returned as principal in 1978-1979, so the reins were handed to a man who had formerly coached football at PRP and more recently had served as assistant principal at Doss High School, Mr. Charles W. Miller. During his first year, Mr. Miller proved himself a devoted Panther as he waged a successful and spirited campaign to keep the school open when the Board of Education threatened it with closure. He also proposed new landscaping, and a brick facade for the building to replace the aging concrete. |
 Original concrete facade |  New brick facade |
In the fall of 1980, PRP's swimming and volleyball teams competed for the first time. During 1981-1982, the 7th and 8th grades were separated from PRPHS and moved into middle schools. A high point in Panther history came with the crowning of the PRP basketball team as State Champions in 1989. The Panthers defeated Wayne County High School, 75-73, in the final game. This achievement was remarkable not only because it was PRP's first state title, but also because it was the first one won by a Louisville team in Rupp Arena.
With the onset of the 1990's, many new and innovative programs were born at PRP. The Columbia Health Care program is designed to educate students for careers in the medical fields. For those interested in a teaching career, the Future Educators program provides internships at neighboring elementary and middle schools. Along with these programs, PRP teams up with various colleges, including the University of Louisville, Jefferson Community College, and Bellarmine College to offer college credit in subjects ranging from Humanities to English to Calculus to Computer Science. In addition, all students benefit from the addition of over 400 computers, which keep PRP on the cutting edge of technology. Programs such as these set a precedent for the future, as new businesses join with PRP everyday to provide unique opportunities for students.
In the fall of 1992, the PRP Vocational School merged with Pleasure Ridge Park High School to become the Pleasure Ridge Park Magnet Career Academy with more classroom space and a wider variety of class options: Horticulture, Information Technology, Industrial Chemical Technology, and Machine Tool Technology. All of these programs add a new dimension to PRP, making the school's technology programs the best in the state.
PRP secured a state varsity debate championship in 1992. In 1993, the marching band ("The Ridge Regiment", previously "The Marching Panther Band") won the Class A State Championship at Western Kentucky University. In 1994, the baseball team won a state championship, defeating Corbin High School in the finals, 10-8, at Owensboro's Kentucky Wesleyan College. In 1995, the Debate Team again won the state championship.
Providing unparalleled leadership throughout his tenure, Mr. Miller, the only three-time State Principal of the Year in Kentucky, has grown Pleasure Ridge Park High School into an educational magnet, attracting hundred of applicants every year.