Frederick Douglass School (Key West) facts for kids
The Frederick Douglass School was a special place in Key West, Florida. It was a school built for African American children in the Bahama Village neighborhood. It first opened its doors a long time ago, in 1870. This school helped many students get an education during a time when schools were separated by race.
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Frederick Douglass School: A Key West Story
Who Led the School?
The first person to lead the Frederick Douglass School was William Middleton Artrell. He was an important person in Key West. He also served on the city council in 1875 and 1876. A city council is a group of people who help make rules and decisions for a city. Mr. Artrell also worked at another school called Stanton Institute in Jacksonville. Later, in the early 1900s, Mildred Shaver became the school's principal. A principal is the head teacher who manages the school.
Expanding Education for Students
Over time, the Frederick Douglass School grew bigger! New buildings were added for Douglass Junior High School and Douglass High School. This was a big deal because before the high school was built in the 1920s, African American students in Key West had to travel far away to other cities if they wanted to continue their education past the 8th grade. The new high school meant more students could get a full education right in their own community.
A New Chapter: College of the Florida Keys
Many years later, in 1965, the former Douglass High School building started a new chapter. It became the very first home for classes of what is now known as the College of the Florida Keys. This shows how important the school building was for education in Key West, serving different generations of students.
