George Washington Carver High School (Chesterfield, Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George Washington Carver High School |
|
|---|---|
| Location | |
|
,
|
|
| Coordinates | 37°21′38″N 78°49′52″W / 37.3606794°N 78.8309909°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Status | closed |
George Washington Carver High School was a public high school in Chesterfield, Virginia. It was a special kind of school because, for a long time, only African-American students were allowed to attend. This was due to a system called segregation. The school closed in 1970 when schools across the country were told to welcome students of all races.
Contents
History of Carver High School
What Was Segregation?
For many years in the United States, schools were "segregated." This meant that Black students and white students went to separate schools. George Washington Carver High School was one of these schools. It was built specifically for African-American students in Chesterfield, Virginia.
The School's Beginning
George Washington Carver High School opened in September 1948. It was created by combining two older schools: D. Webster Davis High School and Hickory Hill High School. Hickory Hill High School had been the first high school for African-American students in the county, starting in 1915.
When Carver High School opened, it had 348 students. It was located in the middle of the county. This made it easier for students from both the north and south ends of the county to attend. Carver became the only high school for Black children in Chesterfield County. The first group of students graduated from Carver in 1949.
School Resources
During this time, resources were not always equal for segregated schools. For example, George Washington Carver High School often received textbooks that had already been used and discarded by white schools.
Closing the School
In 1970, a big change happened. Federal courts ordered all public schools to "integrate." This meant that students of all races had to be allowed to attend the same schools. Because of this order, George Washington Carver High School closed its doors. Its students then went to other schools in the county.
Today, the buildings that once housed George Washington Carver High School are now used by Chesterfield Community High School.
