In its debut year, the entire School District of University City totaled 160 students, a far cry from its current count of 3,200. Even the average number of annual graduates trumps the starting number, at 220. By the following year, the number of students enrolled in the district had jumped to 769 students. Now, 100 years after its first day, and a century of memories behind us, we must give a tip of the hat to the past. U. City schools have made history, raised heroes, withstood tragedy, and most importantly, molded minds for longer than any of us can remember.

When U. City opened its doors in February, 1911, the Incan city of Machu Picchu was discovered by U.S. explorer Hiram Bingham, Ronald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole, a first class stamp costs two cents and the Philadelphia A’s defeated the New York Giants 4-2 to win their second World Series in a row.

The U. City School District started out as a predominantly white district, having been established in an area that housed a 95% white population, according to the 1910 national census. Today, one hundred years later, the District enrollment is made up of 85% African American and only 12% white student, while the actual city population includes 44% African American and 49% white, according to the city of University City. This disparity is most obvious when looking at the districts largest hall of learning, the high school.

Students bustle though the halls of University City High School daily, moving from class to class, every 72 or so minuets like trained mice through a maze. There are currently close to 1000 students that make up this pride of lions. The high school is not only a place for conventional book learning, but also plays host to many talented students, whether in art, music, speech, or leadership. The school maintains a Hall of Fame with the names of former students that mingle with the stars, such as playwright Tennessee Williams, most well-known for his plays “A Streetcar Named Desired” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” rap star Nelly and trumpet player Jeremy Davenport.

“I’ve lived in U. City most of my life and attended the high school all four years and I’m still surprised,” senior Jennifer Mozier said. “U. City’s got talent!”

The charm of the school doesn’t end with the students. The building itself borders on magical at times, housing a number of strange passages that lead nowhere, rooms with only windows, and doors that open into wall. It is even said that the school houses ghosts. The story of a murder or suicide in the 4th floor band room and tales of a specter playing a haunted melody on her ghostly flute have circulated the school many times in the past years.

“I’ve been here 22 years and every year I walk into somewhere I’ve never been before. Could be a room, a closet, or a stairwell,” said Mr. Blumenhorst, associate principal.

Between the trick doors, hidden halls, ghostly residents and all-around magic, U. City could be compared to a regular, real life Hogwarts School, right out of the pages of the latest J. K. Rowling book. We even have a Chamber of Secrets, or a “secret pass of secrets.”

“I haven’t found the tunnel, and I’ve looked,” said Blumenhorst.

The “Secret Pass of Secrets” is the tunnel that is said to run between the high school and Jackson Park Elementary School across the street. Whether or not this passage exists is one of the many mysteries that surround the school and add to the charm and unique air of University City High School.