History
Coral Gables Senior High School
The school opened in 1950, for the education of white students only. High school students had been moved from the previous campus, Ponce de Leon High School. The new Coral Gables High retained the school yearbook name, Caveleon, and the school mascot, "Cavaliers.” The formed Ponce de Leon High School became Ponce de Leon Junior High School.
In 1965, when integration of public schools was mandated by the federal courts, the nearby black school, Carver was closed, and many black students transferred to Coral Gables. Initially, black students were not allowed to attend school social events, but sports became a great unifier. Football coach Nick Kotys and others manned the doors to allow entrance to black students. One of the new kids, Craig Curry, became known as "the Negro quarterback" and led the team to an undefeated season in which they dominated the mostly all-white competition, ultimately being named "The Team of The Century" by the FHSAA.
During the 1950s some Jewish students were in the attendance zone for Coral Gables High but were instead sent to Miami High School; this was especially the case with girls, as many high-status girls' clubs at Coral Gables High did not admit Jews.
