Cedar High School - History of CHS

History of CHS

Cedar High school was originally part of Branch Normal School, a branch from the University of Utah. The responsibility for running the school was transferred to Utah State University. When this happened, the school's name was changed to Branch Agricultural College, what is today Southern Utah University. As the town and number of students grew, the need for an independent high school became very apparent. Cedar High School was officially founded when classes began in September 1940. The School building was located on Center and 300 West just north of the Randall L. Jones auditorium on the SUU campus. It was designed to house 350 students and became overcrowded as the student body grew to 500. It was torn down in 2000 to make room for a parking lot.

The school was founded in 1941 and incorporated high school students from the nearby Branch Agricultural College. In 1942 CHS got its mascot under President Jay Thorley. The mascot reminds us to be "proud to be a Redmen." Cedar High School belongs to the Iron County School District. The current building was completed in the early 1960s and has undergone several expansions since then. Current enrollment is about 1100. As of 2006, the principal is Kevin Garrett.

Until 1997 Cedar High was the city's only secondary school; for many decades its students participated in a fierce rivalry with Dixie High School in St. George, Utah (another one-high-school town until the 1980s). For the past decade the hometown rivals have been the Canyon View High School Falcons.

Traditionally, Cedar High School has been known for its outstanding choir, orchestra and band groups; a dynamic theater program; and an art department with talented teachers and students. The band group is presently directed by Steve Shirts celebrating his 25th year as Cedar High's band director. CHS has been known around Southern Utah to have an incredible pep band, which plays at all of the home football and basketball games. CHS also has a remarkable jazz band which has currently won state FIVE times in a row. CHS has also fielded many champion cross-country teams, probably due to the school's high training elevation (Cedar City sits at roughly 5800 feet above sea level).