Washington Magnet Elementary School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Washington Graded and High School
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Front entrance to the school
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1000 Fayetteville St., Raleigh, North Carolina |
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| Area | 16.5 acres (6.7 ha) |
| Built | 1923-1924 |
| Architect | Christopher Gadson Sayre, W.B. Barrow and Son, et al. |
| Architectural style | Tudor Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 04001584 |
| Added to NRHP | February 2, 2005 |
Washington Magnet Elementary School is an old and important school building in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was built a long time ago, in 1923-1924. This school was first created to educate African-American students in Raleigh. Today, it is a special type of elementary school called a magnet school.
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A Look Back: Washington School's History
For many years, from 1924 to 1953, Washington was the only high school for Black students in Raleigh. This changed when John W. Ligon Junior-Senior High School was built. Ligon High School then became the main high school for Black students.
In 1982, Washington School changed again. It became an elementary school. It also started a special magnet program and a Gifted & Talented program. These programs offer unique learning opportunities for students.
The school building is very historic. In 2001, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important places across the United States. In 2003, the City of Raleigh also named it a Local Historic Site.
The School Building's Design
The original Washington Graded and High School building was built in 1923-1924. This happened because Raleigh needed more schools for its growing number of children. The city used money from a special fund to build it.
The first building has two stories and is made of brick. It was designed in the Tudor Revival style. This style looks a bit like old English buildings. Over the years, more parts were added to the school. A three-story addition was built in 1927. A track for sports was added in 1942, and a gym in 1949. More additions were made in 1996 and 2000. The building was also updated and fixed up between 2002 and 2003.
Famous People Who Attended Washington School
Many talented people went to Washington School. Here are a few:
- John H. Baker Jr.: He played professional football in the NFL. He also served as the sheriff of Wake County for a long time.
- Maycie Herrington: She is known for her work in preserving history.
- June Kay Campbell: She was an important activist in the civil rights movement.
- Pee Wee Moore: He was a famous jazz saxophonist.
- Millie Dunn Veasey: She was a civil rights activist and a veteran of the United States Army.
Notable Teachers and Principals
- John W. Ligon: He was an interim principal at Washington School. Another school, John W. Ligon Middle School, was named after him.
