Established in 1856, Louisville Male is the oldest public high school west of the Alleghenies. A growing 19th century river city needed a place to prepare its men for leadership, and so in 1861, Male was designated "The University of Public Schools in Louisville". Until 1921, Male granted bachelor's degrees.

Male became the first magnet/optional program in Jefferson County Public Schools in the 1970's when it was chosen as the Traditional High School. The district wished to create a structured learning environment which focused on learning fundamentals. A climate of high expectations and standards was created through the combined efforts of students, faculty, administration and parents.

The Jefferson Seminary was opened in Louisville in 1816. After several changes, in 1856, it split into the University of Louisville and High School. In 1892 Manual High School was also created. Male High School's major focus was on academics and Manual taught manual skills.

The rapidly growing 19th century river city of Louisville needed a place to prepare its men for leadership. So in 1861 Male was designated "The University of Public Schools of Louisville". Until 1923, Male granted bachelor's degrees. Originally open to males only, it is now co-educational and has long been considered one of the most prestigious schools in Louisville.

In 1893, the annual Male-Manual football rivalry, the longest running, continuously played, high school football series in the U.S., began. Their football team is a perennial state power, and in addition to its long-running rivalry with Manual, Male is also a close rival with St. Xavier High School, with the annual contest usually determining the fate of the district champion; however, due to the state's realignment of high school football into a six-class system starting in 2007-08, Male will be in a separate district from both Manual and St. X, albeit in the same class. Male also has a rivalry with Trinity High School in football.

Male is a school built on traditional values with its program a "philosophical" magnet called the Traditional Program. The school sends 96% of its students to post-secondary schools, and it was selected as a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon award winner twice in the 1990s.

Uniforms

Students may wear any color uniform shirts but must wear black, navy, or khaki pants. An exception is Friday (Spirit Day) on which students can choose from a variety of Spirit shirts with blue jeans.

School locations

First site - 1856-1897 - Ninth and Chestnut This building was the first home of Louisville Male High School on its opening day, April 7, 1856. The school grew to an enrollment of over 200 young men. The first principal was W. H. Harney. He served in this position from 1856–1857. The most notable principal at this first site was Maurice "Hoss" Kirby. For eleven years, 1886-1897, Kirby dedicated his time and talents to the position of principal. The first two graduates of Male High School in 1859 were Lewis D. Kastenbine (who later became a physician in Louisville) and James S. Pirtle (later became a prominent Louisville judge). The first football game was played in November 18, 1893 (Male vs. Manual) with Male beating Manual 14-12. This marked the beginning of what is today one of the oldest high school rivalries in America.Second site - 1898-1915 - First Street near Chestnut Two of this sites' most notable principals are Rueben Post Halleck (1897-1912) and S.B. Tinsley (1912-1915). It was at this location that Male received its first International recognition. At the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, a Gold Medal for excellence was given to only 5 schools in the world. Male was the only high school in America to receive this Medal.

Also at this location, High School Park was established at the later Male Brook & Breckinridge school site. This was the first high school athletic facility in America. It has been in continuous use since 1901.Third site - 1915-1991 - Corner of Brook Street and Breckinridge Street Male continued to receive many awards of excellence during its tenure at the famed Brook and Breck location. The band and orchestra received state and national championship awards in 1927. The journalism and physics department have received national awards as well as a 1989 American High School of Excellence Award. The gymnasium completed the high school facilities in 1939 with its official title, "Pap Glenn Gymnasium" and the High School Park was renamed Maxwell Field. Notable principals at this location include J.B. Carpenter (1919-1931), W.S. Milburn (1931-1961), Dr. Irvin Rice (1977-1979), and R. Ted Boehm (1979-1992).Fourth site - 1991-current - 4409 Preston Highway

In August, 1991, Male moved to its current campus at 4409 Preston Highway, an educational facility that doubled the instructional, laboratory, library, and campus space. Since it has moved to this location, the school has won two U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon awards. The site was previously Sallie P. Durrett High School, which became the Durrett Education Center in the early 1980s and was used by Jefferson County Public Schools Library Media Services until 1991. The adjoining Gheens Academy, which opened in 1983, was previously Prestonia Elementary School. Notable principals include Joseph Burks Jr. and David Wilson (the current principal).

Athletics

Football

Founded: 1893

Conference: Class 6A

Division: District 6-5

Home field: Maxwell Field

Uniform colors: Purple, gold, white

Helmet design: gold shell

Athletic director: Robert Stewart

Main Rivals: Manual Rams/Crimsons, St. Xavier Tigers, Trinity Shamrocks

Head Coach: Bob Redman

Record: 772-299-47 (through 2006 season, 3rd winningest program in America)

Mr. Football Award Winners: Montrell Jones (2000), Michael Bush (2002), Douglas Beaumont (2006)

Baseball

Home field: Bill Edwards Field

Uniform colors: Purple, gold, white

Athletic director: bulldogs

Main Rivals: Manual Rams/Crimsons, St. Xavier Tigers, Trinity Shamrocks

Head Coach: Todd Driskell

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Recent All-State Players: Scott Green (2004), Michael Estes (2007)

Lacrosse

Male's Lacrosse team was started in the spring of 2004. The team is in Division 2 in the state of Kentucky. Varsity and JV teams

Head Coach: Zach Braman

Assistants: Mike Brown and Jake Gibson

Notable alumni

• Chris Barclay, football player
• Ralph Beard, basketball player
• Winston Bennett, basketball player
• Louis Brandeis, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
• Michael Bush, football player
• Wendell Cherry, co-founder of Humana
• Marcus Green, professional football player
• Sean Green, Seattle Mariners pitcher
• Darrell Griffith, professional basketball player
• William B. Harrison, former mayor of Louisville
• Neville Miller, former mayor of Louisville
• Larry O'Bannon, basketball player
• D.J. Johnson, Professional football player
• Chris Redman, professional football player
• Joseph T. O'Neal, former mayor of Louisville
• Lee Roberson, notable Baptist pastor, and founder, president and chancellor of Tennessee Temple University and Temple Baptist Seminary
• Edliff Slaughter, LMHS's first All-American football player
• George Weissinger Smith, former mayor of Louisville
• Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo journalist, writer, novelist, political commentator
• Wilson Wyatt, former mayor of Louisville
• Trent Findley, professional football player

Notes and references