Ligon Middle School (North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John W. Ligon GT Magnet Middle School |
|
|---|---|
The entrance to Ligon's auditorium.
|
|
| Address | |
|
706 East Lenoir Street
, |
|
| Information | |
| School type | Public (Magnet) |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Focus | Arts Academia Multiculturalism |
| Principal | Dr. Darren James Williams |
| Teaching staff | ~95 |
| Number of students | ~1000 |
| Education system | Wake County Public School System |
| Schedule type | A/B Block Schedule |
| Schedule | 7:35am - 2:20pm |
| Hours in school day | 6 hrs 45 minutes |
| Color(s) | Blue and Gold |
| Mascot | Little Blues |
| Yearbook | The Echo |
| Feeder to | William G. Enloe High School |
| Assistant principals | L. Jackson Glasgow Barbara Liggett Brandon McRae |
| Website | www.wcpss.net/ligonms |
John W. Ligon GT/AIG Basics Magnet Middle School is a public magnet school in Raleigh, North Carolina. Magnet schools are special public schools that focus on certain subjects, like arts or science, to attract students from all over the city.
Ligon has a long and important history. It started as a high school just for Black students during a time when schools were segregated. Today, it is a middle school known for its excellent programs and diverse student community.
Contents
History of Ligon School
A Groundbreaking High School
The story of Ligon High School began in 1951. It opened its doors in 1953 as the only high school for Black students in Raleigh. Building the school cost $1 million, which was a very large amount of money at the time. It was the biggest school construction project in North Carolina.
The school was named after John William Ligon, a respected local pastor and educator. In the beginning, life at Ligon was challenging. The school received used textbooks from the local white high school. Despite this, Ligon became a top school for Black education in the state. It had many talented students and teachers with advanced degrees from nearby colleges.
Becoming a Middle School
Ligon remained a high school for Black students until 1971. That year, schools in the U.S. began to desegregate, meaning students of all races could attend school together. Ligon then changed into a junior high school.
In 1982, Ligon joined the Wake County Public School System and became a magnet school. This change helped bring students from different backgrounds together. In the 1990s, the school got new technology like computers. In the early 2000s, Ligon was updated with new classrooms, hallways, and a baseball field.
Students and Campus Life
Ligon is proud of its diverse student body. The school works to create a community where students from all backgrounds can learn together. A large number of students identified as academically gifted often go on to Enloe High School.
The school is very popular. For the 2008–2009 school year, it was so in-demand that only about one-third of the students who applied were able to get in.
Awesome Classes at Ligon
Choose Your Elective
Ligon offers many fun elective classes that let students explore their interests. Students can learn foreign languages like Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Chinese, and even American Sign Language.
For students who love sports, there are many physical education classes. These include archery, tennis, basketball, soccer, golf, and fencing. Tech-savvy students can take classes in computer animation and programming. Other electives, like yearbook and LTV (Ligon Television), let students help run parts of the school.
Performing Arts Program
The school has amazing programs for students who love to perform. Ligon offers classes in orchestra, band, dance, chorus, and acting.
Ligon's music groups are very talented. Two of the school's orchestras, the Silver Strings and the Ligon Philharmonic, even had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Clubs and Sports
Student Organizations
Ligon students can join several national organizations, including:
- Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)
- National Junior Honor Society
- Tri-M Music Honor Society
- Future Farmers of America (FFA)
Ligon Sports Teams
Ligon's school colors are blue and gold. Their sports teams are called the "Little Blues." Students can join a variety of teams and compete against other schools.
Ligon's sports teams include:
- Volleyball
- Softball
- Football
- Boys' and Girls' Soccer
- Boys' and Girls' Basketball
- Track and Field
- Cheerleading
Famous People from Ligon
Notable Graduates
| Name | Class year | Notability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Baker | 1954 | Former NFL football player and sheriff of Wake County. He was the first Black sheriff in North Carolina in over 100 years. | |
| Chuck Davis | 1954 | A famous dancer who founded DanceAfrica and the African American Dance Ensemble. | |
| Ralph Campbell, Jr. | 1964 | The first African American to be elected to a statewide executive office in North Carolina. | |
| Mel Tomlinson | 1971 | A talented ballet dancer who performed with famous groups like the New York City Ballet. | |
| Tristian Brown | 2005 | Rapper and member of the group Troop 41. | |
| Lelynd Darkes | 2005 | Rapper and member of the group Troop 41. | |
| Dakare Wilder | 2005 | Rapper and member of the group Troop 41. |
Notable Faculty
- Beth Cochran, a former principal of the school.
