Stanton College Preparatory School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stanton College Preparatory School |
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1149 W 13Th St
, 32209-5699
United States
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| Information | |
| Type | Preparatory School |
| Motto | "Ubuntu" |
| Established | 1867 |
| Principal | Nongongoma Majova-Seane |
| Staff | 100 |
| Number of students | 1,538 (2019-20) |
| Campus | Urban, 17 acres |
| Color(s) | Royal blue █, and white █ |
| Mascot | Blue Devil |
| Website | https://dcps.duvalschools.org/stanton |
Stanton College Preparatory School is a special high school in Jacksonville, Florida. It's known for being a very good school. Stanton offers advanced classes like Advanced Placement (AP) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). These programs help students prepare for college.
The school's story began in the 1860s. It was the first school in Florida for Black students. Back then, schools were separated by race. Stanton started as an elementary school for African-American children. Today, it teaches students from 9th to 12th grade. It's part of the Duval County Public Schools system. Stanton offers many challenging courses. These include Honors courses, AP, and IB classes. In 2005, Stanton was named the best large high school in the world for AP classes.
A book called Supertest (2005) called Stanton "one of the premier IB and AP public schools in the country." Most Stanton students go to college after they graduate. They attend two-year or four-year colleges. These colleges can be local, national, or even international. In 2014, Washington Post said Stanton was the 4th most challenging high school in the Southern United States.
Contents
The School's History
Stanton College Prep has a long and interesting history. It started soon after the Civil War ended. In 1868, a group of African Americans in Jacksonville bought land. They wanted to build a school called the Florida Institute. They faced money problems, but the school was built later that year. The Freedmen's Bureau helped them. The Freedmen's Bureau was a government agency. It helped formerly enslaved people after the Civil War.
The first school building was made of wood. It was named after Edwin M. Stanton. He was a Secretary of War for President Abraham Lincoln. Stanton believed in human rights. He also supported free education for Black children. This school was the second for Black children in Florida. The first was a school that later became Edward Waters College.
The Freedmen's Bureau ran the school at first. White teachers from the North taught there. Later, the county took over to open a public school. The first building burned down in 1882. Another building was built the same year. But it also burned down in 1901. This fire destroyed much of Jacksonville. A new school was built in 1902. It was used until 1917.
Mascots and Symbols
Stanton's first mascot was the Blue Devil. After the school burned down twice, a second mascot was chosen. This was the "Phoenix rising from ashes." A phoenix is a mythical bird that rises from fire. It symbolized the school's ability to rebuild. Today, both mascots are used. The Blue Devil is for sports and activities. The Phoenix represents the school's spirit. The current logo is a royal blue "S" symbol, like Superman's.
Building a New School
The old wooden school building became unsafe. So, in 1917, a new, fire-proof building was finished. This building still stands today. It became the main school for Black children in Duval County. The Edwin M. Stanton School was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's an important historical site.
Stanton also grew in its academic programs. It started as an elementary school with six grades. Over time, it became known for its high education standards. The eighth grade was added later. Then, James Weldon Johnson, a former student, helped add a high school department. He later became a principal.
Eventually, the twelfth grade was added. This made Stanton a full high school. In 1938, Stanton became a senior high school only. This means it only taught high school grades.
Changes Over Time
In 1953, the name "Stanton Senior School" moved to a new building. This new school was called New Stanton Senior High School. It continued to have high standards. It was the oldest and most important high school for Black students in Jacksonville.
The old building became "Old" Stanton. It was used as a junior high school for a year. Then, in 1954, it became Stanton Vocational High School. It taught African-American students technical skills. At night, it offered adult education classes.
From 1969 to 1971, New Stanton Senior High School changed its focus. It started to include more vocational training. In 1971, the Old Stanton High School building was given back to its original trustees. Students from the old school moved to New Stanton. The new school now offered both academic and vocational classes.
Becoming a Magnet School
In 1981, Stanton College Preparatory School became Duval County's first magnet school. Magnet schools offer special programs. They attract students from all over the district. Stanton started with grades 7-10. Each year, they added another grade. The first senior class from the magnet program graduated in 1984. There were 54 students. Today, Stanton College Preparatory School serves students from all over Duval County. It is a leader in academic success for the Duval County Public Schools.
In 2017, the school faced some criticism. Flyers about prom attire used the phrase "good girl." Students felt this was demeaning. They shared their concerns on social media. The principal quickly apologized for the wording.
School Programs
Stanton offers many ways for students to learn and grow.
Sports and Athletics
Stanton competes in the Gateway Conference. This is a group of public high schools in Duval County. The school has some sports facilities. These include a football field, a running track, a softball field, and tennis courts. Stanton's baseball team practices at J. P. Small Memorial Stadium. This is because the school does not have its own baseball field. The school's track was updated in 2019.
Stanton offers many sports. These include:
- Cross country
- Basketball
- Football
- Wrestling
- Weightlifting
- Flag football
- Soccer
- Track and field
- Swimming and diving
- Lacrosse
- Bowling
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Baseball
- Softball
- Golf
- Competitive cheerleading
Clubs and Activities
Stanton has over 80 clubs and organizations. Students can join many different groups. Some popular clubs include:
- Multicultural Club
- The Devil's Advocate (the school newspaper)
- Quiz Bowl
Stanton's Quiz Bowl team is one of the best in the country. In 2021, one team placed 8th at a national competition. The team also wins the Duval County Quiz Bowl tournament often. Stanton also has many Honor Societies. These include Mu Alpha Theta (for math) and the Psychology National Honor Society.
School Rankings
Stanton College Prep has often been ranked very high. From 2000 to 2003, Newsweek magazine ranked Stanton first. It was first on their list of the top 1,000 public schools in the United States. Stanton is the only school to be in the top 5 every year from 2000 to 2011.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Stanton ninth in 2008. It has often been first in the U.S. for the number of International Baccalaureate diplomas given out. Stanton also leads the Jacksonville area in National Merit Scholarship winners. These are special scholarships for high-achieving students. The school has also been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. This is a national award for great schools. As of 2014, US News ranked Stanton 12th in the nation. Newsweek ranked it 10th.
Famous Alumni
- Selwyn Carrol, a politician in Alaska
- J. Dash, a rapper and music producer
- Diana Eng, a fashion designer
- J. Rosamond Johnson, a composer and singer
- James Weldon Johnson, a former principal of Stanton, civil rights activist, and diplomat
- Sallye Mathis, a teacher and city council member
- Angie Nixon, a community activist
- Tyler Ross, an actor
- Emily Swallow, an actress
- Kendal Williams, a sprinter
- Ned Fulmer, a former YouTuber
- James Murray (comedian), a star of the TV show "Impractical Jokers"
Notable Teachers
- Joel Davis, a former professional baseball player. He played for the Chicago White Sox. He is now a baseball coach at Stanton.
