Hopper Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hopper Academy
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1101 Pine Ave. Sanford, Florida |
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| Built | 1906 |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000209 |
| Added to NRHP | May 6, 2015 |
Hopper Academy is a special building in Sanford, Florida. It used to be a school for African American students. The school closed in the early 1960s. After that, it was used by the school district for a while. Then, it was left empty and started to fall apart.
Luckily, the building has been fixed up! Now, it's a busy community center where people can gather. Hopper Academy is also part of the Florida Black Heritage Trail. This trail helps people learn about important places in African American history in Florida. The building is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical site in the United States.
Contents
A School for the Community
Hopper Academy was built in 1906. It was a two-story building made of wood. When it first opened, it was a school for African American children in Sanford. At that time, schools were often separated by race.
Important Leaders
The first principal of Hopper Academy was William C. McLester. Another important principal was Joseph N. Crooms. These leaders helped guide the school and its students.
Changing with the Times
In 1926, a new school called Crooms Academy was built. After Crooms Academy opened, Hopper Academy changed. It became an elementary and middle school. Students from kindergarten all the way to eighth grade went to school there. Hopper Academy kept teaching students until the 1960s. After it closed, the building slowly started to decay.
A New Chapter for Hopper Academy
Today, Hopper Academy has a new life. The building has been carefully restored. This means it was repaired and made to look like it did when it was new. Now, it serves the community as a center for different activities.
A Place in History
Hopper Academy is located in the Georgetown area of Sanford. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. This honor recognizes its important role in the history of education and the African American community in Florida. It reminds us of the past and how far we've come.
