# Mt. Lebanon High School

Mt. Lebanon High School is a four-year, comprehensive high school located in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, with 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 has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon School three times, in 1984, 1991, and 1998.

## History

The school was originally built in 1927, and was described after being built as one of the most advanced schools in the state. 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. 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.

## Athletics

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. The high school has a sports rivalry with Upper St. Clair High School.
* Football
** 1 PIAA state championship (2021)
* Baseball (Boys)
** 1 PIAA state championship (1998)
* Basketball
** Boys: 1 PIAA state championship (1940)
** Girls: 3 PIAA state championships (2009, 2010, and 2011)
* Cross Country
** Boys: 12 PIAA state titles (1941, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1998)
* Football
** 1 PIAA state championship (2021)
* Hockey
** Boys' Ice: 2 PIHL state championships (1976 and 2006).
* Soccer
** Boys: 1 PIAA state championship (1981)
** Girls: 1 PIAA state championship (1992)
* Swimming
** Girls: 1 PIAA state championship (2002)
* Volleyball
** Girls: 2 PIAA state titles (1997 and 2000)

## Academics

Approximately 81% of the Class of 2018 took the SAT, achieving a mean combined score of 1212, 145 points higher than the national average.
The school offers 24 AP courses.
In 2024, there were 20 commended students.

## Facilities

The buildings house a library and media center that contains an extensive print and digital collection; computer and writing labs; a Fine Arts complex that includes two theaters, visual arts studios, two professional dance studios, choral rooms, music studios, practice rooms, and a full production digital media and television studio. In addition, there are child development, food and nutrition, applied engineering and graphics labs. An addition to the school in 2012 added a science wing, a sky bridge, three full size gymnasiums, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness room, and six tennis courts. The school's outdoor athletic facilities include a 7,200 seat stadium, two synthetic turf fields with one synthetic running track to enhance opportunities for both student and community use. On its campus, Mt. Lebanon also has a recreational center that includes two ice rinks, a grass baseball field, and a synthetic turf baseball field, though these are not owned by the school district.

## 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. The school's theater program began in 1930 and has produced a number of notable actors.
In 2006, the fine arts department was rated one of eight finest nationwide by the U.S. Department of Education.
In 2007, the American Music Conference listed Mt. Lebanon High school as one of the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education". Mount Lebanon Percussion ensemble were invited by the NHL to perform at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic on live TV for the country. 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. In 2006, the team captured the Pennsylvania High School Speech League championship.
The Devil's Advocate is Mt. Lebanon High School's monthly student newspaper.

## 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.

## Notable alumni

* Kurt Angle (born 1968) - 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
* Mia Bhuta (born 2005) - soccer player
* Patti Burns (1952-2001) - journalist and TV news anchor
* Susan J. Crawford (born 1947) - lawyer
* Gwyn Cready (born 1962) - author
* Brian Cuban (born 1961) - attorney and author
* Mark Cuban (born 1958) - billionaire entrepreneur
* Ave Daniell (1914-1999) - football tackle
* Todd DePastino - author and history professor
* Q. Todd Dickinson (1952-2020) - USC(IP) and USPTO director
* Scott Ferrall (born 1965) - radio personality
* Dave Filoni (born 1974) - director, Chief Creative Officer of Lucasfilm
* 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
* Terry Hart (born 1946) - former NASA astronaut and engineer
* Gillian Jacobs (born 1982) - actress
* Don T. Kelly (born 1980) - MLB player and coach
* Dan Klein (born c.1976) - computer science professor
* 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) - businessman and entrepreneur
* Matt McConnell (born 1963) - television Broadcaster, Arizona Coyotes
* Terri Minsky (born 1957) - television writer, producer
* Rick Peterson (born 1954) - baseball coach and former pitcher
* Rich Skrenta (born 1967) - computer programmer
* Colby Sorsdal (born 2000) - NFL offensive lineman
* Grace Martine Tandon (born 1998) - singer
* Ming-Na Wen (born 1963) - actress
* Brian S. Williams (born 1966) - NFL football center
* Josh Wilson (born 1981) - MLB player

## Notable staff

* Orlando Antigua (born 1973) - basketballer; was assistant basketball coach
* Armen Gilliam (1964-2011) - basketballer; was a volunteer assistant coach
* George Savarese (born 1965) - radio personality and educator