West Chester Rustin High School

History

The West Chester Area School District announced plans to build a new public high school in 2002. In May, the district school board voted 6–3 to name the school after Bayard Rustin, the West Chester-born civil rights leader and principal organizer of the historic 1963 March on Washington, during which Martin Luther King Jr delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. It chose the name over an alternate option, Maple Shade High School.

However, the board was later forced to reopen discussions after criticism. June Cardosi, one of the board members, opposed Rustin's "un-American" anti-war efforts and brief membership in the Young Communist League. She and others also did not want to name the high school after someone who was openly gay.

A twelve-person committee was formed to investigate; it concluded that "we have not seen, read, or heard anything that would give us reason to change our recommendation". In December 2002, the school board held a second vote, confirming the Bayard Rustin name by the same 6–3 margin.

Designed by Gilbert Architects, construction on Rustin High School began in 2003 and cost $46 million to build. The school opened in September 2006, led by principal Phyllis Simmons.

Following the retirement of Simmons in 2014, Michael Marano was hired to become the high school's new principal.

In 2015, the school district approved the sale of 50 acres of land next to the high school to a housing developer. The land, valued at $5 million, was originally intended for an elementary school that would replace two existing schools, Penn Wood Elementary and Westtown-Thornbury Elementary.

On December 13, 2024, Marano resigned for undisclosed reasons, following a "law enforcement investigation involving the former principal". Cliff Beaver was appointed interim principal for the rest of the school year; the school district appointed Maggie Hunt to be Rustin's new principal on May 1, 2025. The district did not comment on the investigation into Marano, and no charges were ultimately filed.

Demographics

Academics

Science Olympiad

Rustin's Science Olympiad team started the same year the school opened, 2006–2007, and has made nationals five times, in 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019 placing 14th, 18th, 13th, 21st, and 16th respectively.

Rustin also hosts an invitational for middle school teams every year, one of the largest on the east coast.

Notable alumni

• Jack Fritz, sports radio personality
• Anthony Nash, Former NFL player
• Chris McMahon, professional baseball player

References

References

1. "Our School - Rustin High School".
2. "West Chester Bayard Rustin HS". National Center for Education Statistics.
3. Hobson, Will. (June 17, 2008). "First senior class graduates from Bayard Rustin High". Philadelphia Inquirer.
4. . ["Bayard Rustin High School"](https://www.gilbertarchitects.com/project/bayard-rustin-high-school/).
5. "[https://www.westgoshen.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/2016/10/WCACOG-Map.pdf West Chester Area Council of Governments Map] {{Webarchive. link. (2018-09-26 ." On the website of West Goshen Township. Retrieved on September 26, 2018.)
6. "[https://www.wcasd.net/cms/lib/PA02203541/Centricity/Domain/1056/Secondary_Boundaries_SK8C.pdf School Boundary Adjustment Draft SK8C - Current Boundaries with Zones of Change] {{Webarchive. link. (2018-09-26 " (Secondary). [[West Chester Area School District]]. Retrieved on September 26, 2018.)
7. "About Us / Rustin History".
8. "West Chester Bayard Rustin High School Named to Newsweek Magazine's List of Top 500 High Schools in America".
9. "West Chester Bayard Rustin High School".
10. . (May 30, 2002). ["Committee OKs name for school"](https://www.timesherald.com/2002/05/30/committee-oks-name-for-school/). *The Times Herald*.
11. Caruso, David. (November 26, 2002). "Philly Suburb Reconsiders School Name". The Times Herald.
12. Robrish, Dan. (December 16, 2002). "School Gets Named for Civil Rights Leader". Plainview Herald.
13. McRorie, Jessica. (December 18, 2002). "Standing by their decision". Daily Local News.
14. . (May 29, 2008). ["West Chester district plans to renovate elementary schools"](https://www.inquirer.com/philly/news/breaking/20080529_West_Chester_district_plans_to_renovate_elementary_schools.html). *Philadelphia Inquirer*.
15. Gapinski, Kendal. (May 30, 2014). "West Chester hires principal for Rustin High". Daily Local News.
16. Monhollan, Candice. (November 10, 2015). "West Chester school district to sell land next to Rustin High School". Delaware County Daily Times.
17. Hanna, Maddie. (2024-12-20). "A West Chester principal who resigned last week is facing a law enforcement investigation". Philadelphia Inquirer.
18. (2025-05-01). "WCASD Names New Principal and Assistant Principal at Rustin High School". WCASD.
19. Hanna, Maddie. (2025-01-10). "After investigating, police aren't bringing charges against former West Chester principal". Philadelphia Inquirer.
20. "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for West Chester Bayard Rustin HS".
21. "Anthony Nash, Duke Blue Devils, Wide Receiver".
22. (May 25, 2017). "Chris McMahon has MLB appeal at West Chester Rustin High School".