- Durham Public Schools
-
Durham Public School System's official logo.
Durham Public Schools central offices.
Picnic tables outside the DPS central office buildingDurham Public Schools was formed in 1992 with the merger of Durham's previous two school districts and is currently the 8th largest school system in North Carolina. There are currently 46 public schools in the system, consisting of 28 elementary (K-5), 8 middle (6-8), 2 secondary (6-12), 7 high (9-12), and 1 hospital school. Durham's schools are traditionally named after notable members of the local community (such as George Watts or Rogers-Herr) or the area they are built in (such as Bethesda or Eno Valley).
Contents
Formation
In 1927, Hope Valley School was built for grades 1 through 11. It was the first government-run school in Southwestern Durham. Changes to the Hope Valley School facility were made in 1941 and 1952. the school was subsequently downgraded to an elementary school with the opening of Southern High School in the fall of 1956. In 1964, Jordan High School on Garrett Road was constructed.
Merger history
Prior to integration, it was commonly thought that the most prominent people attended the Durham City School System: white students attended Durham High School and black students attended Hillside High School.
In 1956, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at Hillside High School, which was one of the Southeast's highest-ranked black high schools.
In 1957, the parents of Joycelyn McKissick and Elaine Richardson sued for their daughters to be reassigned to Durham High School of the Durham City School System.
In 1958, Rencher N. Harris became the first black member of Durham City Board of Education.
In 1959, the Durham City School Board allowed reassignment of eight black pupils to previously all-white schools. The first black students to integrate were Anita Brame and Lucy Jones at Brogden Junior High (now Brogden Middle School). In 1959, Joycelyn McKissick became the first African American student at Durham High School.
In 1968, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sued the Durham County School System in order to integrate its schools. The Durham County School Board's integration plan was accepted by the Federal District Court in Greensboro. The plan stated that all high schools and junior high schools would be integrated in the fall of 1969. The Federal District Judge gave an extra year for elementary schools due to space limitations and the need to purchase mobile units.
Durham County School System's principals had all been hired during legal segregation, so there was much discussion in the community about how successful integration would be in Durham County. One problem that existed was at Southern High School whose principal was Sidney Ray. Southern High School's mascot was the Rebel, and the high school used the confederate flag. The mascot was later changed to the Spartan. There was less concern about Jordan High School because it had been attended by more affluent families of all colors.
In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court in Alexander vs. Holmes County Board of Education reversed the decision of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, ruling that continued operation of segregated schools in Mississippi was no longer permissible. The NAACP filed suit in the Court of Appeals in Richmond saying, based on Alexander-Holmes Decision, they wanted all of Durham's elementary schools integrated. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to hear the case in December. The judge stated that Durham County and City Schools had been given 15 years to accomplish integration and had failed. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled integration would happen immediately.
In the fall of 1969, all three high schools (Southern, and C.E. Jordan, and Northern) and junior high schools were integrated as ordered. Durham City Schools' high schools were Durham High School and Hillside High School, which were at this time were still the largest public schools in both the city and county of Durham.
In 1970, Durham County elementary schools were fully integrated. Durham City schools began to decline after integration. Middle- and upper-class began emigrating out of the Durham City School System to the Durham County School System. The Durham City School System became populated with poorer people. Hillside High School, almost entirely black, maintained a good number of middle-class blacks. Due to immense migration, blacks began to control the Durham City School System and elected a majority black school board and a black superintendent.
A merger attempt of the Durham City School System and the Durham County School System was made in 1972. There were several more attempt that failed to gain support. Finally, in 1992 an agreement was reached. During the merger, the Durham County School System's junior high (grades 7, 8 & 9) and senior high (10, 11, & 12) format was abolished and the Durham City School System's format of middle schools (grades 6, 7 and 8) and high schools (grades 9, 10, 11 and 12) was implemented.
In 1992, the Durham County School System and the Durham City School System merged to form Durham Public Schools.
2010-2012 Board of Education
The chairman is Minnie Forte-Brown (District A). The vice chairman is Heidi Carter(District B). Board members are[1]:
- Leigh Bordley (At Large)
- Omega Curtis Parker (District 1)
- Fredrick A. Davis (District 2)
- Nancy Cox (District 3)
- Natalie Beyer (District 4)
Superintendents
- 1992
- Kenneth Brunson
- 1992-1993
- C. Owen Phillips
- 1994-1996
- Theodore R. Drain
- 1997-2006
- Dr. Ann T. Denlinger
- 2006-2009
- Dr. Carl E. Harris
- January - June 2010
- H. Hank Hurd (as Interim Superintendent)
- July 1, 2010
- Dr. Eric J. Becoats
Statistics
Durham Public Schools employs 4,600 people (2,300 of them teachers) and had 32,551 students as of the 20th day of school in 2009.[2]
- Pre-Kindergarten: 426
- Grades K-5: 15,394
- Grades 6-8: 6,785
- Grades 9-12: 9,946
Teacher salaries range from $29,750 to $65,440.
The government utilizes more than 300 school buses to transport over 16,000 students throughout Durham every day.
Demographics
As of the 2010-2011 school year there were 32,566 students enrolled in Durham Public Schools.[3]
Durham Public Schools Student Demographics[4] 2003-04 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Black 56.53% 53.86% na 52.52% 52.12% White 29.2% 22.60% na 21.36% 21.13% Hispanic 8.9% 17.11% na 19.22% 20.97% Asian 2.4% 2.60% na 2.62% 2.44% American Indian 0.3% 0.21% na 0.22% 0.29% Multi-racial 2.9% 3.60% na 4.06% 3.05% TOTAL 30889 32749 32499 32551 32566 Schools
High Schools (9-12)
Hillside
Hillside High SchoolMain article: Hillside High School (Durham, North Carolina)Hillside High School is a four-year government high school. Of more than 300 historically black high schools that once operated in the state before desegregation, only five remain today, with Hillside being the oldest. Hillside is accredited by the Southern Association of Schools & Colleges. The school mascot is the hornet. Hillside is known for performing arts such as their award-winning[citation needed] Marching Band and Drama Department.
Jordan
Charles E. Jordan High SchoolMain article: Charles E. Jordan High SchoolCharles E. Jordan High School is located on Garrett Road near Hope Valley Road in southwest Durham. The school mascot is the falcon. Jordan students come from many area middle schools such as Shepard, Githens, Lowe's Grove, and Rogers-Herr.
Northern
Main article: Northern High School (North Carolina)Northern High School is a four-year government high school located in the northern part of Durham. Northern's current principal is John Colclough. Approximately 1633 students are currently enrolled at Northern. Northern is one of Durham's seven government high schools. Students take 4 classes each day. Northern's mascot is a knight.
Riverside
Main article: Riverside High School (North Carolina)Riverside High School is a four-year government high school located in Northern Durham. The current principal is Jackie Tobias. Opened in 1991, the school currently has approximately 1935 students and is one of seven high schools in the Durham Public School System.
Southern
Main article: Southern High School (North Carolina)Southern High School is a four-year government high school located in southern Durham. Southern is a 4A school, and has football, baseball, and basketball programs as well as the Symphonic Soul of the South Marching Band. There are currently 1105 students.[5]
Middle College
Main article: Middle College High School at DTCCMiddle College High School is located on the campus of Durham Tech. This high school is only for juniors and seniors. There are currently 120 students.
Other High Schools
Middle Schools (6-8)
Githens Middle SchoolDurham Public Middle Schools Name Principal Mascot Colors Enrollment Brogden Renee Trapp Dragon Green, White 844 Carrington Holly Emmanuel Cougar Orange, Black 1300 Chewning James F. Key, II Cardinal Red, White 750 Githens Delvin Vick Raider Blue, Black, White 1025 Lowe's Grove Kathy Kirkpatrick Viking Maroon, Gold 694 Neal Jill Hall Eagle Green, Gold, White 840 Rogers-Herr Teresa J. Daye Ram Blue, White 613 James E Shepard IB Middle Ericka I. Boone Panther Red, Black, White 439 W.G. Pearson Middle Magnet Valerie Griffin-Puryear Mighty Lion Black, Gold 350 Lakewood Montessori Middle School Sheldon Reynolds Lynx Green, White 300 in 2012-2013 Elementary Schools (K-5)
Durham Public Elementary Schools Name Principal Mascot Enrollment Bethesda Shaneeka Moore-Lawrence Bulldog 634 Burton Magnet Takeisha Mitchell Ram 325 C. C. Spaulding Kecia Rogers Bald Eagle 254 Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet Teresa Rogers Manatee 504 Creekside Nathan Hester Eagle 865 Easley Year-Round Timothy Gibson Eagle 642 Eastway Kendral Flowers Eagle 567 E. K. Powe Sherron Leplin Eagle 421 Eno Valley Tonya Williams Eagle 638 Fayetteville Street Rodriguez Teal Lion 262 Forest View Neil Clay Falcon 618 George Watts Montessori Magnet School Patti Crum 398 Glenn Dr. W. Renee Carmon Koala 700 Hillandale Sandra Bates 627 Holt Year-Round Star Sampson 613 Hope Valley Micah Copeland Eagle 705 Lakewood Cornelius Redfearn Bulldog 423 Little River Thomas Seckler 668 Mangum Cynthia Daniels 505 Merrick-Moore Kia Eason Lion 679 Morehead Montessori School Cory Hogans 238 Oak Grove Aisha Howard 556 Parkwood Michael Somers Panther 604 Pearsontown Dionne McLaughlin Panda 900 R. N. Harris Magnet Carolyn Pugh Eagle 401 Southwest John McCain 695 Spring Valley Barbara Parker Stinger the Bee 640 W.G Pearson Lynne Goodhand and Susan Wells Tiger 621 Y. E. Smith Letisha Judd Tiger 347 Sandy Ridge Visual and Performing Arts John Colclough 590 Secondary Schools
Durham School of the Arts
Main article: Durham School of the Arts
Durham School of the ArtsDurham School of the Arts (DSA) is a secondary (grades 6-12) magnet school located in downtown Durham, housing 1431 students.[6] Its focus is on visual and performing arts. Offerings include extensive 3D and 2D art, dance, guitar, strings, band, piano, acting, technical theater, and computer classes. Students are enrolled by a lottery system and can enroll as early as the sixth grade.
Lakeview School
Lakeview School is an alternative school for grades 6-12 to teach those who have a history of misbehavior.
Hospital School
- The Hospital School[7] is located at Duke University Medical Center.
2008-2009 Central Office
- Durham Public Schools Central Office Personnel
Click here to link to all central office staff: http://www.dpsnc.net/images/pdf/central-service-phone-directory/view
References
- ^ Board of Education page, Durham Public Schools, http://www.dpsnc.net/about-dps/board-of-education/board-of-education-members, retrieved 2010-05-15
- ^ DPS "Quick Facts"
- ^ http://www.dpsnc.net/images/pdf/enrollment/ADM_2010.11.pdf
- ^ http://www.dpsnc.net/about-dps/district-stats-and-scores/district-data/demographics-enrollment-data
- ^ Southern High School profile, Durham Public Schools, http://dpsnc.net/schools/school-profiles/high-school-list/southern-high-school, retrieved 2010-05-15
- ^ DSA school report, NC Public Schools, http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?pLEACode=320&pSchCode=323, retrieved 2010-05-15
- ^ Hospital School profile, Durham Public Schools, http://dpsnc.net/schools/school-profiles/secondary-school-list/hospital-school, retrieved 2010-05-15
External links
- Durham Public Schools Official website
- Oral History Interviews with Josephine Dobbs Clement [1], [2] from Oral Histories of the American South
Middle Schools Brogden • Carrington • Chewning • Githens • Lakewood Montessori Middle School • Lowe's Grove • Neal • Rogers-Herr • Shepard • W.G. PearsonElementary Schools Bethesda • Burton • C. C. Spaulding • Club Boulevard • Creekside • Easley • Eastway • E. K. Powe • Eno Valley • Fayetteville St. • Forest View • George Watts • Glenn • Harris • Hillandale • Holt • Hope Valley • Lakewood • Little River • Mangum • Merrick-Moore • Morehead • Oak Grove • Parkwood • Pearson • Pearsontown • Smith • SouthwestSecondary Schools Durham School of the Arts • Hospital School • LakeviewCategories:- School districts in North Carolina
- Durham Public Schools
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