Renovation work at East High School was completed in December 2008. The work included restoring numerous skylights throughout the building, refinishing the solid woodwork and wrought iron railings, as well as installing energy-efficient lighting fixtures. The new capacity is 1032 students. Included in the renovation was the addition of a 34,000-square-foot (3,200 m2) gymnasium, which features three full-sized basketball courts and seating for 1850 spectators. The total construction cost was $28.2 million.
James Thurber, writer, humorist, cartoonist (attended the original East HS on Franklin Ave.)[6]
Ann B. Walker, journalist, radio host, and first Black woman from Franklin County to receive a presidential appointment[7]
D. K. Wilgus (class of 1935), folksong scholar and academic[8]
Athletics
Columbus East won the first state boys basketball championship for the capital city in 1951. This was Columbus, Ohio's first basketball championship for the high school category. This team is considered to be one of the greatest teams in Ohio high school basketball history.[citation needed] The team was composed of Rollie Harris, Romey Watkins, Dick Linson, Ed Granger, and Bill Truss. They were coached by the legendary Paul "Bucky" Walters. This historic team beat the highly favored Hamilton Big Blue in the State finals before a soldout crowd. The Walters team used an advanced defense called the "flat iron" zone. The offense was also ahead of their time relying on the incredible passing skills of Watkins and the "fast break". In the 2022-2023 season the tigers football team made history and won two playoff games in a row at their home field.
Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships
This list is incomplete. The Dublin City, Hilliard City, and Westerville City school districts serve portions of Columbus, but operate no high schools in it. The two schools listed in the bottom section are not operated by Columbus City Schools, but have "Columbus, Ohio" postal addresses.
This list is incomplete. Portions of some school districts extend into other counties; only schools in Franklin County should be listed in this template.