Atkins High School (North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Atkins High School (former)
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Facade
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1215 N. Cameron Ave., Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
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| Area | 15.1 acres (6.1 ha) |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Macklin, Harold; et al. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 99001618 |
| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1999 |
Atkins High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was a special school for African American students. It officially opened on April 2, 1931. The school building, its equipment, and the land were valued at $400,000 back then. Most of this money came from the city. A grant of $50,000 also came from the Rosenwald Fund, which helped build many schools for African American children in the Southern United States.
Contents
A School with a Rich History
The Vision of Dr. Simon Green Atkins
The story of Atkins High School is closely linked to Dr. Simon Green Atkins. He moved to Winston-Salem from Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1890, he became the principal of Depot Street School in Winston-Salem.
Dr. Atkins also helped start the Slater Industrial Academy in 1892. This school is now known as Winston–Salem State University. For the first two years, Dr. Atkins was the principal of Slater on a part-time basis. He continued his work at Depot Street School at the same time. As Slater Industrial Academy grew, it needed more of his time. So, in 1895, he left Depot Street School to focus completely on Slater Academy.
Support from Julius Rosenwald
Julius Rosenwald was the president of Sears Roebuck, a large retail company. He was known for helping to fund schools for black students across the Southern United States. The grant from the Rosenwald Fund helped build Atkins High School.
School Leadership and Curriculum
The first principal of Atkins High School was John Carter. He had been a professor at Winston-Salem Teacher's College before this role. Mr. Carter led the school until 1959.
The school offered two main types of learning. One was an academic track for students who planned to go to college. The other was a vocational track for students who wanted to start working right after high school. This track taught them useful job skills.
Changes Over Time
Atkins High School served as a high school until 1971. After that, it became a junior high school. In 1999, the school building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.
The name "Atkins" was later moved to a new school. This new school, called Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School, opened in September 2005. The original Atkins High School building is now home to the Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy.
Notable Alumni
Many successful people attended Atkins High School. Here are a few of them:
- Hubbard Alexander — a coach for college football and the NFL
- Hannah Atkins — the first African-American woman elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives
- William Bell — served as the mayor of Durham, North Carolina
- Carl Eller — an NFL defensive end and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Herman Gilliam — a player in the NBA
- Happy Hairston — an NBA player
- Ike Hill — an NFL defensive back
- Lawrence Joel — a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the Medal of Honor
- Willie Porter — a professional basketball player
- Togo D. West, Jr. — an American attorney and public official
- Nadine Winter — a community activist and politician in Washington, D.C.
- Larry W. Womble — a member of the North Carolina General Assembly
