Franklin County High School (Kentucky)
| Franklin County High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
1100 East Main Street (US 60) , 40601 | |
| Coordinates | 38°12′39″N 84°49′37″W / 38.21087°N 84.82690°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1958 |
| School district | Franklin County Public Schools |
| Principal | Chris Tracy |
| Teaching staff | 55.00 (on an FTE basis)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12[1] |
| Enrollment | 968 (2023–2024)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 17.60[1] |
| Campus | Small city |
| Colors | Navy, white and gold |
| Mascot | Flyer |
| Nickname | Flyers |
| Website | www |
Franklin County High School is the largest of three public high schools in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, and is one of two high schools operated by Franklin County Public Schools.[2] The campus also houses the Franklin County Career & Technical Center, which offers vocational training. The principal of the school is Chris Tracy.
History
Franklin County High was opened in the fall of 1958 and dedicated on November 30 of that year. It consolidated Elkhorn, Bridgeport, Bald Knob, and Peaks Mill High Schools.[3] Franklin County is named for Benjamin Franklin, and the high school's mascot, the Flyer, was chosen in honor of Franklin's kite experiment. The mascot itself is a bird named "Freddie Falcon".[4]
In 1981, the Franklin County district was split into two high school attendance zones with the opening of Western Hills High School, with Franklin County High now serving primarily the eastern half of the county, including eastern portions of the city of Frankfort. The central part of the city is served by a separate district, Frankfort Independent Schools, which operates the other public high school in the county, Frankfort High School.
In 1990, science classrooms and some math classrooms were enlarged, two computer labs were added, and the library was expanded. A more extensive renovation project began in the summer of 1997 and continued uninterrupted through the summer of 2001. The facade was updated, the original band room and administrative offices were torn down, and the original bus circle was removed. New music classrooms, practice rooms, business classrooms, and offices were constructed. Also added was a new center hallway on both the first and second floors; the second-floor hallway connects the original front wing with the back foyer. The cafeteria, auditorium, and gymnasium also were updated, and the library and the remaining original classrooms were enlarged.[5]
In late 2015 Franklin County High School was featured in a national OxiClean commercial. The first of the two 30-second commercials is called "Pride", and it features the team's members and equipment manager sharing their enthusiasm for OxiClean and how clean the team's uniforms look.[6]
In 2023, the school and community began building the Adam Hyatt Outdoor Classroom, an outdoor learning space on campus created in memory of teacher Adam Hyatt, who died in 2019.[7][8]
Head principals
- Clyde Orr (1958–1959)
- Garland Kemper (1959–1960)
- Ronald Connelly (1960–1963)
- Elmer Moore (1963–1966)
- John Underwood (1966–1967)
- Robert Hoagland (1967–1991)
- Jim Shrock (1991–1999)
- Mike Henderson (1999)
- Sharon Collett (1999–2012)
- Stirling "Buddy" Sampson (2012–2017)
- Charles Lewis (2017–2021)
- Chris Tracy (2022–present)
Academics
FCHS offers two diploma choices for students: Enrichment and Academic diplomas. Students are graded on a 4-point GPA scale.[9]
JROTC
There is an Air Force Junior ROTC Wing at the school. KY-20021 supports the school by providing Color Guards for home football and basketball games. The Color Guard has presented flags flown over the capital for former congressman Ben Chandler at Hearn Elementary, and also participated in the 2007 Inauguration Parade for the former Governor of Kentucky, Steve Beshear and the 2015 Inauguration Parade for the former Governor Matt Bevin.
The rifle exhibition team started in 2005, has performed for the school, a Kentucky State University football game at halftime, and various elementary schools in the area.
Athletics
The school is a member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA). FCHS offers its students the opportunity to participate in multiple sports:
- Boys and girls:
- Cheerleading (not governed by KHSAA), basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, track and field, tennis, Archery
- Boys:
- Girls:
- Dance Team (not governed by KHSAA), softball, volleyball
The Flyers' football stadium, Benny Watkins Field, also hosts the sprint football team of nearby Midway University. Sprint football is a variant of American football which restricts player weights to 178 pounds (81 kg). Midway began play in that sport in 2022.[10]
Team records
| Team | Year | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 2025 | Class 4A state championship runner-up[11] |
| Esports | 2023 | State champions (Rocket League)[12] |
| Girls' Basketball | 2021 | Sweet Sixteen Appearance[13] |
| Football | 2020 | Class 4A state championship runner-up[14] |
| Girls' Basketball | 2020 | Sweet Sixteen Appearance[15] |
| Girls' Basketball | 2017 | State runners-up[16] |
| Girls' Basketball | 2016 | State runners-up[17] |
| Girls' Basketball | 2015 | Sweet Sixteen Appearance[18] |
| Chess Club | 2007 | Most Checkmates |
| Dance Team | 2004 | National champions (beat 3 teams in division) |
| Baseball | 2001 | State Final Four[19] |
| Softball | 1995–2006 | 11th most wins (200)[20] |
| Girls' Golf | 1996 | State champions[21] |
| Girls' Golf | 1995 | State champions[21] |
| Boys' Basketball | 1995 | Sweet Sixteen Appearance |
| Boys' Golf | 1991 | State champions[22] |
| Boys' Golf | 1990 | State champions[22] |
| Girls' Basketball | 1998 | 5th most rebounds in a season (1,355)[23] |
| Boys' Cross Country | 1986 | AA state champions[24] |
| Girls' Cross Country | 1986 | AA state runners-up[25] |
| Girls' Cross Country | 1983 | AA state runners-up[25] |
| Girls' Basketball | 1980 | State runners-up[26][27] |
| Football | 1979 | Undefeated regular season |
| Football | 1978 | AAAA state at-large runners-up |
| Girls' Cross Country | 1977 | AA state runners-up[25] |
| Girls' Cross Country | 1975 | AA state champions[28] |
| Girls' Track and Field | 1972 | AA state champions[29] |
| Girls' Track and Field | 1972 | AA state champions[29] |
| Girls' Track and Field | 1971 | AA state champions[29] |
Theatre productions
| Year | Production | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | The SpongeBob Musical[30] | Musical |
| 2023 | Seussical[31] | Musical |
| 2022 | Matilda the Musical[32] | Musical |
| 2020 | Little Shop of Horrors[33] | Musical |
| 2019 | Hairspray[34] | Musical |
| 2018 | Shrek the Musical[35] | Musical |
| 2017 | The Addams Family[36] | Musical |
| 2017 | The Outsiders[37] | Play |
| 2016 | The Little Mermaid[38] | Musical |
| 2015 | Legally Blonde[39] | Musical |
| 2013 | Oklahoma![40] | Musical |
| 2012 | Cinderella[41] | Musical |
| 2011 | Footloose[42] | Musical |
Notable alumni
- Logan Woodside, NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons[43]
References
- ^ a b c d "Franklin County High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ "School Contact Information". Franklin County Public Schools. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
- ^ Younkin, Linda (March 9, 2018). "A way with words: Don Dampier's latest book a tribute to high school basketball". The State Journal.
- ^ Report, State Journal Staff (December 12, 2011). "More to mascot than meets the eye". The State Journal.
- ^ Franklin County High School Yearbooks 1998-2002
- ^ "Kentucky High School Featured In National OxiClean Campaign". www.lex18.com. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
- ^ Cole, Lucy (March 30, 2023). "Project underway at Ky. school to honor memory of beloved teacher". WKYT. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Metcalf, Sabriel (April 7, 2023). "Parents, students, community build outdoor space in teacher's memory". Spectrum News 1. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Grading Scale". Franklin County High School. Archived from the original on March 5, 2010. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
- ^ "Midway Sprint Football releases schedule for inaugural season" (Press release). Midway Eagles. September 9, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2023.
- ^ "12/5/25 – Boyle County wins 2025 UK HealthCare Sports Medicine Class 4A State Title". Kentucky High School Athletic Association. December 5, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Franklin County's esports team wins state championship, first time out". The State Journal. May 2, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Veno, Chanda. "Lady Flyers to open Sweet 16 against South Laurel". The State Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
- ^ Younkin, Linda (December 19, 2020) [December 18, 2020]. "Boyle County edges Franklin County for state championship". The State Journal. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ Younkin, Linda (March 11, 2020). "Lady Flyers come up short at Sweet 16, fall to Anderson County 40-37". The State Journal.
- ^ Fields, Mike (March 12, 2017). "Mercer County girls win Sweet Sixteen in style". Kentucky High School Athletic Association.
- ^ "Butler beats Franklin Co. for KHSAA title". The Enquirer. Highland Heights. Associated Press. March 13, 2016.
- ^ Maloney, Mark (November 12, 2015). "Girls' Sweet Sixteen: Allen-County Scottsville dominates Franklin County 52-32". Lexington Herald-Leader.
- ^ "2001 KHSAA State Baseball Tournament" (PDF). KHSAA.
- ^ "KHSAA Fast Pitch Softball State Records" (PDF). KHSAA.
- ^ a b "KHSAA State Championship Results and Records" (PDF). KHSAA.
- ^ a b "KHSAA State Championship Results and Records" (PDF). KHSAA.
- ^ "KHSAA Girls' Basketball - State Records" (PDF). KHSAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
- ^ "KHSAA State Championship Results and Records" (PDF). KHSAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Team Score Records" (PDF). KHSAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
- ^ "Butler beats Franklin Co. for KHSAA title".
- ^ "Mercer County beats Franklin County 85-71, earns girls title - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports". www.wave3.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "KHSAA State Championship Results and Records" (PDF). KHSAA. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 28, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Girls Track Compiled Team Champions Listing" (PDF). KHSAA.
- ^ "Go under the sea as Franklin County High School Drama Club presents 'The SpongeBob Musical'". The State Journal. March 21, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Seussical hits FCHS stage". The State Journal. March 23, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Franklin County High School Drama Club to present 'Matilda'". The State Journal. March 18, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Back to the 'Little Shop'". The State Journal. March 12, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Hairspray plays at FCHS". The State Journal. March 19, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "FCHS drama club to present 'Shrek'". The State Journal. March 2, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "FCHS choral/drama to present 'The Addams Family'". The State Journal. March 14, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "FCHS drama dept presents 'The Outsiders'". The State Journal. October 27, 2017. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Musical takes audience 'unda da sea'". The State Journal. March 16, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Legally Blonde hits stage at FCHS". The State Journal. March 15, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "FCHS choral drama departments present 'Oklahoma!'". The State Journal. March 10, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "Here and there: 3-11-12". The State Journal. March 11, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ "FCHS choral and drama departments to present 'Footloose'". The State Journal. March 6, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
- ^ Moore, Josh; Varney, Dennis (April 28, 2018). "NFL Draft: Former Franklin County star Logan Woodside selected by Bengals". Lexington Herald Leader.