NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Elementary Schools

Historically, Black Americans have viewed education as the key to freedom. Consistent with this belief and against arguably insurmountable odds, Black Schools were established in Black Communities throughout the south,

Elementary education was provided for Black students in North Little Rock as early as 1900. The first school for Black children was located in the southwestern part of the city near Washington Avenue. This building, a two-story, four-room frame structure had as principals Mr. W. E. Steward, Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Pleasant and Mr. Strickland.

In 1907 the School Board rented a hall on the corner of Second and Shrove Streets and employed Mrs. Julia E. Brown as primary teacher, This school was to accommodate small children only and Mr. Strickland served as principal of both schools,

In 1909 the School Board purchased six lots on the corner of Ninth-and Hickory Streets and built a two-story brick building. This building, containing eight rooms, a principal's office and a basement was named Argenta Colored School. The east and west end schools were moved to the new building and Mr. Strickland continued as principal.

In 1911 the name was changed to Hickory Street School and a high school course was added to the curriculum,

The principals from 1911 to 1928 were Mr. Strickland, Mr. Ish, Mr. M. M. Wilburn, Mr. S. P. Massie, Mr. Guy, Mr. W. J. C. Hunter, and Mr. K. J. I. Blakely.

Since 1911 elementary education for Black children has progressed rapidly Classes for Black elementary children continued at Hickory Street School, An annex was constructed in 1928 and the name was changed to Scipio A, Jones High School. The annex contained seven classrooms, a hall and an auditorium. The principals since 1928 were Mr. K. J. I. Blakely, Mr. W. D. Hanson, Mr. G. Q. Anderson, Mr. C. D. Hamilton and Mr. E. H. Hunter. The elementary school curriculum was included in Scipio A. Jones High School, grades 1-12, until 1951. A new building was constructed at 10th and Cedar Streets and Scipio A. Jones High School moved to its new location in 1952. It was at this time the name of the old building at 9th and Hickory Streets was changed to Lincoln Elementary School, In 1967 a new building was erected at Seventh and Beech Streets and the elementary school moved to its new location. In 1971 the name of Lincoln Elementary School was changed to Seventh Street Elementary School.

Cedar Street Elementary School was located on 14th and Cedar Streets in 1924-25. Classrooms were added in 1951 and the name was changed to George Washington Carver Elementary School, In 1961 a new building was erected and Carver Elementary School moved to its new location at 19th and Pines Streets. In 1977 the school was renamed Pine Street Elementary School,

East End Elementary School was located between 3rd and 4th on Clover Street. In 1950 the name was changed to Woodson Elementary School. Additions to the school was made in 1954. In 1963 the school moved to it new building at and Redwood Streets. In 1971 the school was renamed Redwood Elementary School

Roosevelt elementary School was erected in 1956 at East 4th and Edmonds Street, It name was changed to Glenview Elementary School in 1971

Hillside Elementary School located in the Military Heights accommodated Black students in the early 1900's Because of the shift in population, the building was sold in 1964. Elementary School children living in the Military Heights area attended Hillside until it closed.

Secondary Schools

Scipio A. Jones High School

Judge Scipio A. Jones

The first high school course for Black students in North Little Rock was added to the Hickory Street School curriculum in 1911. An annex was constructed in 1928 and the name of the school was changed to Scipio A. Jones High School honoring Judge Scipio A. Jones, a noted Black attorney, a Civil Rights Activist, and a businessman, with grades 1 through 12.

A gymnasium was constructed in 1942. This frame structure was the "Pride of North Little Rock." For many years, Scipio A. Jones High School had the distinction of having the only gymnasium for Blacks in the state. It was the site for many Girls' and Boys' State Tournaments. Many state titles were won during these years under the leadership of Coach A. B. Calvin, and succeeding coaches.

The Home Economics Cottage at Tenth and Walnut Streets, located on the campus of the Veterans Building was completed in October 1950. It contained two classrooms with a large cooking department, three storage rooms, a living room with a fireplace, an attic and an office.

Prior to the school year 1950-51 Scipio A. Jones High school had served students in grades through 12, At this time grades one through six were removed and the school became known as Scipio A. Jones Junior -Senior High School.

Mr. E. H. Hunter continued to serve as principal of grades 7 through 12. The building on Ninth and Hickory, erected in 1928, became an elementary school and a principal was assigned.

Under the leadership of the school administration, Mr. E. H. Hunter, and the entire school staff, Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School was approved for accreditation during the fall of 1951. The school was formally accepted and fully accredited the spring of 1952. This indeed was a milestone for Black school in Arkansas and in the south.

Because of overcrowded classrooms, in 1952, a new one-story buff brick and concrete Junior-senior high school building was erected at Tenth and Walnut Streets. The building contained study rooms, a dining room and kitchen, a library, four restrooms for students, three storage rooms, an office for the principal, a first aid room, a lounge and restrooms for teachers, shower facilities for students, a multi-purpose room, and a large storage was erected. Rooms for the school band and chorus groups were upstairs at the rear of the multipurpose room.

As of September 1, 1960, the Adult Evening School and Veterans Division of Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School were combined,

During the late fifties through the mid-sixties may temporary portable buildings were used to accommodate the ever increasing enrollment of Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School. In 1966-67 the elementary grades were moved from the 1928 building to a new facility, At this time, the 1928 building again became a part of the Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School, All portable buildings except the Guidance-Offices were at this time removed from the campus.

The new Health and Physical Education Building, which housed physical education classes was completed in 1968. This building became the new home of "The Mighty, Mighty Dragons" basketball teams.

As a result of efforts to integrate the public schools in North Little Rock-, Arkansas, the Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School was closed at the end of the 1970 school year.

From 1910 through 1970 hundred of young Black children attended and graduated from Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School, earlier known as Argenta Colored School and Hickory Street School. The physical presence of the school in the Black community served as a stabilizing force and as a beacon of hope for Black people who dared to dream.

The formal education received at Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School by students has helped them to become productive citizens-in the community as well as throughout the United-States and abroad. There are doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientists, businessmen, and many other careers.

In order to preserve the heritage of early education of Black students and the impact it has made and will continue to make on the communities in which they live, in 1976 the Scipio A. Jones High School Alumni Association was organized. Its first president was Archie Mitchell, 11, followed by Frankie Wilson Harshaw, Dorthy Stephenson Williams, Lee Andrew Jeffrey and in 1985 Catherine Porch Marshall.

Scipio A. Jones High School class reunions were held in North Little Rock in 1978 and 1980.

In 1980 the Scipio A. Jones High School National Alumni Association was organized with chapters representing from Los Angeles, California; Detroit, Michigan; two chapters in Chicago, Illinois; and naturally one in North Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1984 a chapter was chartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

The first national president was Catherine Porch Marshall who was succeeded by Curtis Sykes in 1984, the current president.

The goals of the Scipio A. Jones National Alumni Association are to organize chapters throughout the United States where alumni and former students reside; to assist classes with their reunions; to collect artifacts to be housed in a central location in North Little Rock; to obtain a building in North Little Rock to house these artifacts; and to encourage the graduates and former students of Scipio A. Jones Junior-Senior High School, Hickory Street School, and Argenta Colored School to get involved in the activities of the Alumni Association on the local and national levels.

Scipio A. Jones National Alumni meetings have been held in North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1980; Los Angeles, California, in 1982; North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1984; and will be held in Chicago, Illinois, in 1986. Currently the national meeting returns to North Little Rock every four years.

Bi-annually the North Little Rock Chapter of Scipio A. Jones Alumni Association awards scholarships to graduating high school students-for academic excellence and need: The other alumni chapters award scholarship in their particular locale.

Compiled by: Catherine Porch Marshall and Curtis H. Sykes

North Little Rock History Commission