London Central Elementary High School (LCEHS), formerly London Central High School, was a

United States Department of Defense The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD, or DOD) is an United States federal executive departments, executive department of the federal government of the United States, U.S. federal government charged with coordinating and superv ...

Dependents School ( DoDDS) in the Isles District of DoDDS Europe for pupils in

kindergarten Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cen ...

through grade 12. It operated from 1952 until 2007, with its first graduating class in 1953. In about 2005 the average number of students was 360 and there were at least 75 students boarding. Students originated from the United States and Canada, with most students being in military families; those from non-military families paid tuition fees. The school had a high rate of students enrolling or transferred away due to job changes. Students living in dormitories, which served grades 9–12, had parents doing military duties or other duties for the U.S. federal government in remote areas in other countries. LCEHS fell under the command of the U.S. Naval Activities, United Kingdom (COMNAVACTUK). The three co-founders of the band

America The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

met while students.

History

London Central High School (commonly known as "LCHS" or just "Central") was established in 1952 at

Bushy Park Bushy Park in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is the second largest of London's Royal Parks, at in area, after Richmond Park. The park, most of which is open to the public, is immediately north of Hampton Court Palace and Hampton ...

, in north west

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, for students in grades 7 through 12. Subsequent base closures led to two moves: to Bushey Hall in 1962, and to RAF Daws Hill, its final location, in 1971. For the 2006–07 school year, LCHS merged with West Ruislip Elementary School, which had closed in the spring of 2006. Consequently, it accommodated grades K-12 and "elementary" was added to the school's name. At the time of its closing, LCEHS was the last remaining DoDDS school with

dormitories A dormitory (originated from the Latin word ''dormitorium'', often abbreviated to dorm), also known as a hall of residence, a residence hall (often abbreviated to halls), or a hostel, is a building primarily providing sleeping and residential qu ...

. The USNAVEUR Headquarters were relocated from London to

Naples, Italy Naples ( ; ; ) is the Regions of Italy, regional capital of Campania and the third-largest city of Italy, after Rome and Milan, with a population of 908,082 within the city's administrative limits as of 2025, while its Metropolitan City of N ...

in 2007. As a result, RAF Daws Hill, along with other naval installations in the area, was scaled down and eventually closed. LCHS staged a formal closing ceremony on May 15, 2007, and locked its doors for the last time in June 2007, with a handover of keys back to the US Navy/RAF on 30 June. The website was completely removed in mid-June 2014.

Facilities

Male students lived in Mansfield Hall while female students lived in Trinity Hall.

Notable students

* Charles Baker, actor *

Gerry Beckley Gerald Linford Beckley (born September 12, 1952) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, and a founding member of the band America (band), America. Early life Beckley was born to an American father and an English mother. He began pla ...

, co-founder of the band

* Bo Bice, singer * Dewey Bunnell, co-founder of the band

Jerry Donahue Jerry Donahue (born September 24, 1946, Manhattan, New York City) is an American guitarist and producer primarily known for his work in the British folk rock scene as a member of Fotheringay and Fairport Convention as well as being a member of ...

, guitarist and producer * Charles Easley, Mississippi Supreme Court Judge *

William Frederick Fisher William Frederick Fisher (born April 1, 1946) is an American physician and a former NASA astronaut. Fisher went into space in 1985 on board the Space Shuttle. He retired from NASA in 1992 and returned to the full-time practice of medicine. His ...

, NASA astronaut and physician * Megan McArthur, NASA astronaut and oceanographer * Paul Miller, Canadian actor *

Dan Peek Daniel Milton Peek () was an American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the co-founder of the band America, and later a "pioneer" in contemporary Christian music. Early life Peek was born in Panama City, Florida, on November 1, 1 ...

, co-founder of the band

* Doc Rosser, former keyboardist for

John Mellencamp John J. Mellencamp (born October 7, 1951), previously known as Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for his brand of heartland rock, which emphasizes traditional instrumentation ...

and convicted felon * Dale Van Atta, columnist A book about London Central High School entitled ''From the Faculty Lounge'' was published in 2008. It features memories of the school in all three of its locations from around 35 former principals, teachers and staff.

Notes and references

External links

* Archived official websites ** (after December 31, 2004) ** ** **
LCHS alumni website
{{authority control 1951 establishments in England 2007 disestablishments in England American international schools in the United Kingdom Bushy Park Defunct boarding schools in England Defunct schools in Buckinghamshire Defunct schools in Hertfordshire Defunct schools in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Educational institutions disestablished in 2007 Educational institutions established in 1951 Schools in High Wycombe History of the United States Army in the United Kingdom International schools in London Department of Defense Education Activity