Exploring Towns Most VIOLENT High School | Closed Due To Bad Grades (Famous NBA High School)

Warren Harding High School is a public high school in Bridgeport, Connecticut, that opened its doors to students on September 9, 1925, after its cornerstone was laid on May 10, 1924. The school was named in honor of Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, who passed away shortly before its construction. Harding, a member of the Republican Party, was one of the most beloved sitting U.S. presidents, serving from 1921 until his death in 1923.
Designed by C. Wellington Walker, the original school featured elegant Georgian style architecture and striking Greek columns. The school was in operation for 93 years, producing a few NBA basketball players despite ranking in the bottom 50% of all schools in Connecticut for overall test scores.
In 2018, a new school was built on a former General Electric factory site at a cost of $107 million. The four-story, 207,000 square feet (19,200 m2) structure was equipped with top-of-the-line security features such as bulletproof glass and 130 security cameras. This new school was designed to provide a superior learning environment and enhanced safety measures to the students attending Harding High School in hopes of imroving its rank.
The old school has now been left abandoned with no future plans as of 2023, it now sits as a timecapsule and a relic of the past for all who attended.
RISE ABOVE MERCH HERE
www.riseabove....
Subscribe to my 2nd Channel! VLOGS AND MORE
/ @justjoshingyou
Rise Above Instagram page!
/ riseabove.clothing
FOLLOW MY SOCIAL MEDIA
facebook = / exploringwithjosh
Twitter = / i_am_joshyo
instagram = / exploringwithjosh
tiktok = / exploringwithjoshy
SUBSCRIBE TO MY 2nd CHANNEL FOR LIVE STREAMS AND GAMING
/ justjoshingyou
DONATIONS FOR TRAVELS/HOTELS/GAS/FOOD
/ exploringwithjosh
Edited by ‪@radekjaster‬
MUSIC USED HERE - KZbinRS DREAM!!
goo.gl/Ev7obc
Business Inquiries
[e-mail]

[@THEDTSMAN]

It amazes me that in the USA a whole school is just abandoned, nothing has been taken and stored somewhere. The amount of money just wasted is phenomenal. I think that’s the more worrying aspect of these videos.

[@newzealandghosthunting]

Hi

[@Bubblez1991]

In America we have a lot of school abandoned and hospitals too it's actually sad

[@allspeedtest3995]

The school was in use for 93 years. I wouldn't say it's that of a waste of money.

[@ReZShot]

you should see what the US left in Afghanistan...now that was a waste of money

[@timothy14127]

Being an American myself I agree with you.

[@user-hg9ev3fv7o]

This was my high shool in 2008-2009. Fights throughout the day, metal detectors, i had 4 different math teachers in that year. If you ever seen the movie LEAN ON ME, it gives the same vibes. The school had the class clowns who walked out of class, kids who never showed up and then those who just showed up and made the best of it. Glad I was able to excel though.

[@Demi.lea69]

That’s so cool that it was your old school 😊

[@K1ll3r84]

That's also my old school between 98 and 02

[@K1ll3r84]

There was a lot of fights between 98 and 02 as well, I used to go to every Thanksgiving game between Harding and central

[@crewrangergaming9582]

It was my school too but I never attended, even one class, not even once.

[@jenniefelix2283]

Loved working there from 2002-2010.

[@greenwidow]

It makes me so angry & sad that they just waste the books, furniture, paintings, woodwork, doors, lockers, etc. ALL of that could be sold or donated & put to good use. They don't care about cost because it's tax dollars, they don't care about history...just shameful. Josh I am glad you are exploring these places so at least there is some kind of record.

[@biscutballs2600]

To be fair the old school had a bunch of stuff wrong with it some people who worked there had breathing problems, so maybe some stuff was not able to be donated.

[@kirbycraft1302]

I thought about that with the the schools FIRST scrapbook.

[@melanybahl]

From all the places you explore, those big buildings scare me, actually humans who can be inside. More than ghosts actually.

[@jerryspence7484]

Lol

[@ButterflyAngel2517]

Exactly!

[@KevinTan]

Imagine a Pig Man comes out

[@sylviahoffman9440]

Yep, people are much more scarier than ghosts, shadows, cryptids, etc

[@panadocoughsyrup]

Why dude it’s just homeless people. Dont be so weird

[@nattramn6690]

Honestly it’s kinda sad to see such a historic building go to waste even if they had a negative reputation for grades.

[@francescaocasio9861]

Hey Josh! I was so excited when I found out you came to my hometown 🥴. You guys sure stirred the pot in Bridgeport because allegedly Board of Ed wasn’t aware that the school was left with everything that is inside & are actively doing an investigation. Who knows what they’re gonna do 😩. No kidding about the area some crazy ish always going down 🥺.

[@isaiflores4542]

That's amazing

[@carlosjavierPR]

Bull*** they knew . Now they trying to act inocents

[@francescaocasio9861]

@@carlosjavierPR highly agree with you!

[@NineOfSteeel]

@@francescaocasio9861 Exactly! How does the Board of Ed not know that place that has been abandoned for 2 YEARS has all the stuff in it.

[@LordHeisinger]

There needs to be some kind of historical organization/museum in each state that would come in to a school like that when it is closed and take like those books of history of the school, school flag, mascot, pictures and anything else of historical significance. Also maybe hire a person like Josh to do a in depth video of the entire school to preserve the history and legacy. Something like this could extend out to businesses of old, hospitals, mining towns, housing subdivisions, just to name a few.

[@xistbun]

This building was bought by a hospital in hopes to turn it into a medical facility!

[@AngelaMerici12]

That sounds like a great idea!

[@GaiaLegend]

Reminds me a little of UNESCO. I know the guys need to hurry through the building because of content but I probably would have read the entire news paper thing :P

[@zackmiller-fx4wd]

Could not agree more with you.

[@andrewaiken7763]

That building next to the bleachers is a secondary gym! It connects from the second floor. I was apart of the first classes to graduate in the new school. So cool to see you come to the school I went to!

[@Lild777]

Hi Josh, I live in CT and grew up in Middletown. Our old High School that got tore down a few years back looked just like this one. Our School did disections on pigs and pig fetuses. We did frogs in middle school. I get so excited to see explores from CT! This was one of the best abandoned schools besides your old middle school that showed everything still intact. You guys got there in perfect time. Scrappers can ruin a abandoned place like that in less than a week. CT has so many interesting abandoned places. Lots of haunted places as well! Thank you for your adventures!

[@Brookewaves]

Yeah, I lived like an hour away from this place when I was younger. Heard so much about it in high school.

[@monkey7707]

You were one of my first subs on YT... Dude!!! You have come along way.... I'm extremely proud of you and actually very envious of your life... You are obviously doing what you love and making good money doing it.... Your an YT OG now dude... Enjoy it

[@historyadventureswithcandi3497]

This tears my heart out! I can't Believe her history! I Can't imagine all of this happening within her walls! Thank you for capturing this school and telling her story. As always, you guys are awesome with what you do not only remembering history but telling the stories; the good, the bad and the ugly.

[@wendyxx0777]

Crazy to see how far you come, you were literally the first person I subscribed to outta the urban explorers then got into the paranormal and was so happy when u started doing paranormal videos lol love you josh

[@steph91980]

Nobody does abandoned like you Josh! You see the beauty in what those places used to be ❤ I love all your content on all your channels!

[@sylviahoffman9440]

Looking at the raw materials they used in building this school is amazing. The wood shelving, stair rails, counters etc is just beautiful. Too bad it's no longer in use.

[@CyndiSouthLouisiana]

Thank you for bringing us on your adventures! Love your videos Josh!

[@ericfreshcorn3590]

Hello

[@karahbulley9113]

The pottery is so cool!! It’s so sad to see this school be abandoned! It’s way bigger then my high school!

[@v8trax]

I watch you guys all the time. It's inspiring to see young men like yourselves so into the history of the places you visit. Can't wait to see how you progress in your careers.

[@fionahamilton4486]

Thanks Josh I really enjoyed this ! It’s amazing how much has been left behind you almost felt like the kids had just trashed their school and gone home .Love your work ❤

[@Angyal_Angyal]

Hey Josh, it's so sad to see everything go to waste. Some of that stuff could have been donated to schools who didn't have the resources. 😕 • 10:57 - PIGGY - Yeah I had to dissect a fetal pig in Biology. And I even went to a small, private Christian school. • 26:17 - SPORTS - Before I moved to Texas my school in Oklahoma had every sport imaginable....those that I can remember are below. It now encompasses 40 square miles, 10 campuses, 12,000 students and has a budget of over $97 million. Sports when I was in school (decades ago): ° Baseball ° Basketball ° Cheerleading ° Cross Country ° Diving ° Fencing ° Football ° Golf ° Gymnastics ° Pom Pom Squad ° Soccer ° Softball ° Swimming ° Tennis ° Track & Field ° Volleyball ° Wrestling Ok, stay safe and take care. 😇

[@moonfire41]

Lol, we dudnt have to diassect pigs, but once in 7th grade we had to do that with a cow's eye.

[@steel8675]

@@moonfire41 We dissected pigs and cats! (yikes)

[@ellielaw4614]

Wow our school in the UK 🇬🇧 didn’t have anything like this one and it’s so huge too. Awesome explore Josh. Hope your enjoying Japan 🇯🇵

[@ortiznatalie315]

I’ve been watching you for so long! I love your videos! This is my first comment ever but I actually grew up in Bridgeport and know this high school very well! Didn’t go to this high school, went to another one in the city which was wonderful. With any big city you’re going to have your good and bad parts, but this school definitely was going downhill through the years. The new building is beautiful and the school is coming back from what it used to be and is doing much better! 😁 thought people would like this update!

[@cassieelliott148]

The theater and library were amazing! Thanks for sharing this place!

[@rachellaflex2249]

It's so cool that you do this stuff and I hope you never stop! Thanks for such awesome videos, Josh!

[@colorado719nadine2]

My son is a firefighter! I'll let him u said thank you. He serves in Georgia USA. Thx for showing me how hard my son works. Much love from Colorado USA 😢

[@allisonsieger]

Yessss let's gooooo it's nothing like a new video to end my day and weekend with you go to the most epic places I absolutely love all your abandoned videos keep up the good work your contents is the best much love and respect to you be safe out there

[@jordynchan5103]

I dissected a frog as well as a cow's eyeball in high school, but never a fetal pig. It's so fascinating to explore and see everything left in place as it was before the place was abandoned; it's almost like it's all been frozen in time.

[@LoVeAmBiEnT]

Always a fan Josh. Glad to see you still doing abandoned …. But also. Ronins rig keeps getting bigger and bigger. Lol. He will soon be operating an entire crane in his videos

[@ttashicatt1091]

Hey Josh, great vid, as usual. This school is still well preserved. Keep up the great work. Sending good vibes from Canada!! 😊

[@WEEPINGWATERS9893]

HEY JOSH, One of the reasons why they probably left all the stuff there could be because of Lead from paint and Asbestos contamination. That's what and why all our schools were rebuilt and bought brand new supplies.😊

[@tomsavino5301]

Yes, most likely.

[@xistbun]

It was that plus the building was breaking apart as the students were in it. Pipes were regularly breaking & there was a lot more i can speak on 😅

[@anndufour90]

I live in CT but nowhere near Bridgeport. That city is a disaster. You really need to be careful around there! Awesome video as always!

[@judyking1502]

This gave me OG vibes love the videos josh been a fan for a long time I believe starting in "2016" I saw you're videos and the rest is history! Please keep up the amazing work 💯 ✌️

[@St4Lk3R_458]

Visually the school was beautiful. Thank you for sharing it. It's a shame it performed so poorly. That library was amazing for a high school. ❤❤❤❤

[@gypsyfirestorm]

I never dissected the pig fetus, but the science class across the hall did. LOL

[@exohio]

I've been to several antique abandoned schools, just in my area. They were turned to 'charter schools'. All of them closed to do poor student performance, misbehavior and test grades. The average grade was a D. The proof is scattered all over the floor in paper work. You don't even want to know the demographics. When an entire school gets a D average, you know it's more than the teachers fault. Unfortunately students have poor role models today and no respect for the authority teaching them. Society is failing these kids.

[@Callmeju44]

Rainy day in Buenos Aires, perfect mood for your videos❤

[@kaic.1490]

The fact this was my Highschool and I can vividly remember the times and experiences I've had in there is just crazy to know now it is abandoned. We use to talk junk for yearssss about building a new "Harding" but I can't lie I now miss the old one just for the history behind it.

[@twilimidna_]

Hi Josh! I just wanted to give you a small safety tip for future places like this. If someone is following you, pull out your phone and play a recording of a big dog barking. I've done that while exploring an abandoned place and it worked to scare them away lol.

[@SarahMae96]

My high school did pigs, cats, and frogs! I remember having my mom write a note to excuse me from the cat because my family’s cat had just passed and there was NO WAY I was doing that 😅

[@awkwardgay7898]

Cats???

[@Nirrrina]

I've never heard of them dissecting cats before. Fascinating but heartbreaking because I have one right next to me & 2 others somewhere nearby. I don't know if I could do a cat either & definitely not if I'd recently lost a baby.

[@SRHMorbid]

@34:00 looks like an it lab , the aerodyne things a wind tunnel. So I'm also assuming that's also a shop class where the car came from that's on top of the tunnel. Kinda cool stuff. It and shop were my favorite classes besides science and history.

[@jennifercoffelt3696]

Cool old school like library.thanx josh for showing and what scrapers doing.

[@victoriajoneson3849]

Love all the shots you showed with just the music in the background.. it let's us really appreciate the beauty of it

[@marni803]

It’s astonishing to me how much wasted resources are left in these buildings! All of it just rotting away. So sad.

[@vincentmaillot4733]

Superbe aventure les gars,c'était génial,super émouvant de voir ces lieux figés d'une autre époque,bravo👍

[@vincentmaillot4733]

it's unfortunate that entire schools and neighborhoods fall into oblivion and are left to rot completely abandoned. great time travel with your awesome adventure well done bros👍

[@Televisietoestelding]

Love your vids.. can not wait almost every weekend. Greats..someone from the Netherlands

[@wirkarens2]

Another great video to watch on a raining Sunday. Love seeing these videos and how sad on how some of the places are in pretty good shape and left abandoned. Love your videos and 🎉content Josh❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JNT737]

Your vids make my day hapier

[@brittaanniedalen8504]

Hey,Josh! It is so sad that people is destroying things like that. I love your videos,Josh and i cant wait for the next episode. Stay safe! Much love from Norway. 😊❤🤍💙❤🤍💙

[@Th3Hamst3rSist3rs]

I love watcing your episodes, not only because they are amazing, but because of your knowledge. I learn something every time! Thanks

[@RockerRed]

31:10 You're making me hungry! Another great video Josh! 👍🤘 thanks for sharing with us!

[@D1LZZZ.]

Damnnnn every time I see you upload it makes the day 10x better!!

[@golfermilk]

I was the last graduate class here before it was closed a couple of years back it was a fun school theres were fights and stuff yeah but it wasnt THAT bad it gave great memories. They made a new harding highschool right down the street and it looks like a freaking super yacht!!!

[@jellybeanjazz69]

Oh my...thats my high school! This place was huge as far as i can remember it was so cool and seeing this place again makes me cry

[@Slasher_Kirby]

You guys should totally explore Griffith Park here in LA

[@Amethyst_-]

Wow this is a nice looking school…looks way better than my old highschool coming up. They had big beautiful classrooms, great subjects, top of the line supplies etc….

[@starfish753]

Love this Video, thanks for exploring and keeping it true!

[@emilyshevlin4679]

About 5 mins from my house. The new building is around the corner from the old. Unfortunate how many things were left unused and wasted

[@shannonrose8160]

Perfect timing thank you!!

[@joeschnell5695]

For the 35+ years I lived in and worked out of Bridgeport I never knew that school building was so HUGH!! Nor did I know how large the classrooms were. I usually only saw the Central Avenue (front) side in passing while driving. So thank you for the tour.

[@janicetomas9409]

This place begins me back to my high school years thank you Josh for uploading this vlog

[@babieejesse]

I love how he points out “the goal to win”

[@shawnjohnson6134]

Im from Connecticut ✨ its so inspiring to see you explore things in our beautiful state !

[@fernandojimenez686]

Josh in the minuet 19:55 sounds like someone said something

[@annekparsons]

Ya, kinda like "It's better!"? Glad I wasn't the only one that heard something 😅

[@NebulaDragons]

heard the whisper, and got kinda confused. didn't know if someone with him still or not. Though I think there was, you see them standing in the background for a frame or 2

[@marypainter2405]

Another killer Upload 🤗 Nothing but The Best CONTENT 💯 Ever When Josh is On KZbin 🙌 Thanks For The Upload 🤗 Lot's Of ❤️ and blessings From SAN ANTONIO TEXAS ❤️ God bless you Always 🙏 On Your Adventures" Josh "😇

[@xaustedbrain2369]

Man I wish people can put in money for the community to recover this beautiful school🙏🏽

[@adamanddiamondzelina4331]

I wish they could restore old places like that and let people use them again. The old style is amazing and so much history! - diamond

[@trevor791]

I wonder if Horace Mann is still standing in Gary Indiana. I went there twice and this totally gave me those vibes.

[@NatMar9]

Wow this is my mom’s old high school. So wild to see it today

[@hahomy]

Great video Josh thanks for sharing enjoyed this , stay safe hope yr enjoying Japan can't wait to see the videos 👍💖

[@ste666666666]

That hole in the ground looked like someones home also i think Josh only explores for the food after lol 😛 (Joke!)

[@Amy401]

You were the first abandoned explorers I ever subscribed to, and so cool you are doing paranormal now too

[@bluejay22]

It always adds a bit of a horror element when you’re not alone in the building you’re exploring. I’d be peeking around every corner and doorway to make sure nobody’s around before I continue. I’d also be tip-toeing and whispering everywhere. Especially with someone like that in the building with you. He had things with him that could easily cut flesh. It’s like you had a horror movie villain in the building with you.

[@bptboi624]

This was my high school from 2009, so crazy to see how it looks after all these years.

[@chaneldargaville3442]

What a awesome explore video! so much things still there and just wasting away. Can I ask who edited this video? The music is awesome.

[@aesthete_xo]

Josh, Plz never stop making videos. I love them.

[@apoisonpotato93]

Love to see another exploring video. ❤️ I love the spooky ghosts but this is super OG and i loooooove it.

[@bethburr8574]

Bridgeport is a very rough city, kudos to you for exploring that school. I grew up in CT but now live in GA. didn't go to this school, but had heard of it

[@dws202820]

2018 was the year i graduated! Its crazy to see this. 2018 was such a great year for me it was also right before the world ended in a way because Covid happened the following year. I just wish i could go back and stay there forever. The world will never be the same..

[@bennu547]

I freakin’ love donkeys😻 I would love if my old school’s mascot was a donkey. They’re adorable. They’re intelligent. They’ve been amazing guards on farms for centuries. They’re “stubbornness” which is what donkeys are known for is actually the donkey thinking for itself refusing to do something that they don’t feel is safe. So again very smart animals. They’re very calm and don’t scare as easily as horses would. They’re very hard working and loyal. They symbolize humility and peace So you have an intelligent, hard working humble animal that will fuck you up if you give it a reason to. Sounds like mascot material to me

[@takura187]

Our cafeteria didnt have all that fancy stuff, was just regular school food

[@PausitiveVibes]

Omg when were you in bridgey?! I literally live in the town right next to there! I'm super sad that I missed you 🥺

[@kristiwinkle5686]

11:05 Yeah I had to dissect a pig too. We had options if you had moral objections to it, but this was back in the late 90's, so the computer program substitute option was HORRIBLE. 34:37 I honestly can't believe that whole ass soundboard was still there! That's amazing!

[@rockzie1604]

Loved it 🤙

[@melissaloveless1590]

I'm watching now! 🍿🍺😁

[@nickleceliaibarra]

Josh great video! Very interesting video and sad what people are taking apart the walls to take the cooper pipes. Be safe and careful! I live your videos. ❤

[@angelwings414q]

Wow what a amazing video thanks Josh for sharing your mems too

[@misha2197]

This is sad, that's alot of history left behind to rot. This school was incredible and I blame a certain political party and a certain demographic for it's unfortunate demise.

[@ParanormallyKeila]

I feel like they could have repurposed the desk & some of the other items you shown in the video. It’s crazy how they just left it all there. They could of had an auction or anything. I no I’m my town people are always looking for school desk for their homes.

[@jbrianb4618]

There’s a lot of memories there . I graduated from Harding in 1993

[@zackmiller-fx4wd]

Love this content period my top 5 favorite youtubers.

[@k458lucca8]

The amount of money that goes into school are crazy and then they get abandoned. I personally think that if a school gets closed down, instead of abandoning it, they should turn it into apartments. And all the stuff that doesn't get used should be donated if able

[@robbenstein]

Just waited for you to open up a locked room full with trapped zombies.😂

[@michellelivelystone]

These types of videos are freaking good to watch!!!! Not even joking ❤

[@dagmarbeeke6163]

I like how your videos always calm me down. Great job again Josh! 💜🖤

[@mirandadavenport970]

Josh so amazing enjoy your videos and I share your video with my husband stay safe and stay strong.

[@ErinRenee1990]

I’m so happy to see an abandoned video again. I’ve tried to watch the ghost videos but I am over them. Sorry. Pizza goes with ranch not ketchup.

[@Enjoythepour]

This is such a cool school, with all of the old classes, shop, art. I would have loved this type of school. I am amazed that it closed, due to bad grades. It seems like it had a nice choice of classes. REAL TIME CLASSES.

[@xistbun]

It looks better than it was 😅

[@sealexander]

The RCMP car in the thumbnail got me here LOL

[@tre57production]

Great video as always I wish i was there exploring with u guys

[@kghelgxzr692]

~ corridor corners basement & something behind the school.