Cheltenham High School

Established in 1884, Cheltenham High School has witnessed a fascinating evolution. It stands as one of Pennsylvania’s oldest public high schools, a testament to its enduring legacy. Initially, Cheltenham High School resided on Ashbourne Road. This location held the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating public school site in the country until its closure in 1953. The school then moved to Elkins Park, occupying a site at High School Road and Montgomery Avenue. The current Cheltenham High School, nestled on 47 acres at 500 Rices Mill Road in Wyncote, opened its doors in 1959. The present Cheltenham High School building boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including modern science labs, an integrated gym and swimming pool, and even a planetarium. The campus also features archery ranges, two courtyards, a greenhouse, and an extensive music complex. An annex, housing a television studio, further expanded the school’s resources. In 1968, the “New Wing” arose to accommodate the burgeoning student population. Between 1999 and 2003, substantial renovations modernized the school. Cheltenham High School’s history is intertwined with a former building on High School Road and Montgomery Avenue. This building served as the high school until the current Rices Mill Road location opened in 1959. The older structure then transitioned into Ogontz Junior High School until its closure in 1977. Sadly, after years of neglect and damage from vandalism and arson, this historic building met its demise on July 3, 1995. Cheltenham Township subsequently acquired the 11-acre property, transforming it into what is now known as High School Park or Ogontz Park. This act ensured that a piece of Cheltenham High School’s history lives on, albeit in a new form. Cheltenham High School’s first home, the George K. Heller School, built in 1883, still stands at 439 Ashbourne Road. This building initially housed both the high school and a grammar school. The high school program began with a one-year course in 1884, graduating a mere four students. By 1886, it expanded to a two-year program. Eventually, the high school classes moved to the Ashbourne School before settling into its dedicated building in 1906. The Heller School continued serving as an elementary school until 1953. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and functions as the Cheltenham Arts Center.