Booker T. Washington High School (Houston) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Booker T. Washington High School |
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| Location | |
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4204 Yale Street
, Texas
77018
United States
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| Coordinates | 29°49′19″N 95°23′56″W / 29.821837°N 95.398854°W |
| Information | |
| Established | 1893 |
| Principal | Carlos Phillips II |
| Staff | 52.33 (FTE) |
| Enrollment | 760 (2018–19) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 14.52 |
| Color(s) | |
| Mascot | Golden Eagle |
Booker T. Washington High School, often called "Booker T.", is a high school in Houston, Texas. It is located in the Independence Heights community. Students from 9th to 12th grade attend this school. It is part of the Houston Independent School District.
The school serves many neighborhoods in northwest Houston. These include Independence Heights, Highland Heights, and most of Acres Homes. The school was named after Booker T. Washington, a famous educator. The High School For Engineering Professions is also located on the campus.
Contents
School History
Booker T. Washington High School started in 1893. It was first located in Houston's Fourth Ward. At that time, it was called "Colored High." It was the only high school for Black students in the city. This was because schools were separated by race back then.
In 1925, the school board decided to build a new high school for Black students. This was due to the growing Black population. The original school was renamed after Booker T. Washington in 1928. He was a well-known Black educator. Other high schools like Yates and Wheatley were also built.
The school moved to its current spot in Independence Heights in 1959. By 1970, the school became open to students of all races. This was part of the end of school segregation.
In 2007, Franklyn Wesley retired after being principal for over 40 years. Some people wanted Victor Keys, an assistant principal, to become the new principal. However, the district chose Mark Bedell. The current principal is Carlos Phillips II.
Around 2012, the school's student population was at its lowest. Community leaders, like Sylvester Turner, worked to get more support for the school. They wanted to make it as good as other nearby high schools. They started a campaign that raised money for the school.
In 2015, the school district bought houses around the school. This was part of a plan to rebuild the high school. A new building for the school opened in 2018. It was built using money from a Houston ISD bond.
Academics and Programs
In 2011, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) rated the school as "unacceptable." However, in 2019, the TEA gave the school an overall rating of 'C'. This showed improvement in student achievement and school progress.
In 2012, Houston Community College started an auto mechanic program at the school. This program helps students learn how to fix cars. The school's old auto shop was fixed up for this program.
Also in 2012, Texas A&M University partnered with Booker T. Washington. This partnership offers university scholarships to some engineering students.
School Campus
The school campus has seen many improvements. In 2011, the gymnasium floors were replaced. Sylvester Turner helped make this happen. He also pushed for more improvements to the campus. A new school building opened in 2018.
Who Can Attend
The school serves students from specific areas. One Houston Housing Authority housing complex, Lincoln Park, is in the school's zone.
Getting to School
The Houston Independent School District provides school bus transportation. This is for students who live more than two miles from the school. Students in the school's zone and those in the magnet program can use the bus.
The METRO city bus also has a line, the 66 Yale bus. It stops near the school.
Student Body
The number of students at Washington High School has changed over the years. In 1995, there were 1,520 students. By 2012, the number was 823. The magnet school program can hold 400 students. In the 2011–2012 school year, 226 students were in the magnet program.
School Uniforms
As of 2020, Washington High School has a school uniform policy. This means students are expected to wear certain clothes. However, parents can ask for an exception if they have a good reason. This could be for religious reasons.
Feeder Schools
Students from several elementary schools go on to attend Washington High School. These include:
- Burrus Elementary
- Hohl Elementary
- Kennedy Elementary
- Wesley Elementary
- Parts of Garden Oaks Elementary
- Parts of Highland Heights Elementary
- Parts of Osborne Elementary
- Parts of Roosevelt Elementary
Most students from M.C. Williams Middle School also attend Booker T. Washington. Smaller groups from Black Middle School and Alexander Hamilton Middle School also feed into the high school.
Famous Alumni
Many successful people have graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. Some of them include:
- J. V. Cain (class of 1969) – A former NFL football player.
- Samuel A. Countee (class of 1928) – A talented painter and sculptor.
- Eldridge Dickey (class of 1964) – The first African-American quarterback picked in the first round of a professional football draft.
- Nate Hawkins – A former NFL football player.
- Mercury Hayes (class of 1992) – A former NFL football player.
- Jennifer Holliday (class of 1978) – A Grammy award-winning singer and actress.
- Lawrence Marshall (class of 1951) – A former board member for Houston Independent School District.
- Leonard Mitchell (class of 1977) – A former NFL football player.
- Speedy Thomas (class of 1965) – A former NFL football player.
See also
- History of the African-Americans in Houston
- List of things named after Booker T. Washington
