Atkins High School
Encyclopedia
Atkins High School in Winston-Salem North Carolina, one of America
's National Register of Historic Places
, was dedicated on April 2, 1931 as a facility for “Negro children”. The building, equipment and grounds were valued at that time at USD$
400,000. This was paid primarily by the city, with a grant of $50,000 from the Rosenwald Fund
.
was a president of Sears Roebuck who was noted for supporting black schools throughout the south. The first principal was John Carter, who had previously been a professor at Winston-Salem Teacher’s College. He continued as principal until 1959. The school curriculum included both an academic track for those students intending to go on to college, and a vocational track for those intending to start work immediately.
Dr. Simon Green Atkins came to Winston-Salem from Raleigh, North Carolina
, where he graduated from St. Augustine Normal and Collegiate Institute (now St. Augustine's College). In 1890, he accepted the position of principal of Depot Street School in Winston-Salem
. Dr. Atkins was the organizer, secretary, and agent of the board that started Slater Industrial Academy in 1892, now Winston–Salem State University. Dr. Atkins served as principal of Slater on a part-time basis for the first two years of its existence, while he continued his work as principal of Depot Street School. As Slater Industrial Academy grew, the demands upon Dr. Atkins' leadership and direction increased. In 1895, he resigned his position at Depot Street School to devote himself entirely to Slater Academy.
The Atkins name was transferred to a new building housing the Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School
in September 2006.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
's National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, was dedicated on April 2, 1931 as a facility for “Negro children”. The building, equipment and grounds were valued at that time at USD$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
400,000. This was paid primarily by the city, with a grant of $50,000 from the Rosenwald Fund
Rosenwald Fund
The Rosenwald Fund was established in 1917 by Julius Rosenwald and his family for "the well-being of mankind."...
.
History
Julius RosenwaldJulius Rosenwald
Julius Rosenwald was a U.S. clothier, manufacturer, business executive, and philanthropist. He is best known as a part-owner and leader of Sears, Roebuck and Company, and for the Rosenwald Fund which donated millions to support the education of African American children in the rural South, as well...
was a president of Sears Roebuck who was noted for supporting black schools throughout the south. The first principal was John Carter, who had previously been a professor at Winston-Salem Teacher’s College. He continued as principal until 1959. The school curriculum included both an academic track for those students intending to go on to college, and a vocational track for those intending to start work immediately.
Dr. Simon Green Atkins came to Winston-Salem from Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, where he graduated from St. Augustine Normal and Collegiate Institute (now St. Augustine's College). In 1890, he accepted the position of principal of Depot Street School in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
. Dr. Atkins was the organizer, secretary, and agent of the board that started Slater Industrial Academy in 1892, now Winston–Salem State University. Dr. Atkins served as principal of Slater on a part-time basis for the first two years of its existence, while he continued his work as principal of Depot Street School. As Slater Industrial Academy grew, the demands upon Dr. Atkins' leadership and direction increased. In 1895, he resigned his position at Depot Street School to devote himself entirely to Slater Academy.
The Atkins name was transferred to a new building housing the Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School
Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School
Simon G. Atkins Academic & Technology High School is a high school in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It opened in the fall of 2005 as a technology magnet school...
in September 2006.
Notable alumni
- William Bell (1957) - Mayor of Durham, North Carolina.
- Carl EllerCarl EllerCarl Eller is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota...
- Minnesota Vikings. - Happy HairstonHappy HairstonHarold "Happy" Hairston was an American professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He was a member of 1971–72 NBA championship Lakers team that won 33 games in a row, a record not duplicated in any other American professional sport. Hairston was a 6'7" ...
- Los Angeles Lakers. - Togo D. West, Jr.Togo D. West, Jr.Togo Dennis West, Jr. is an American attorney and public official who was the third person to occupy the post of Secretary of Veterans Affairs. He was nominated by President Bill Clinton on January 27, 1998, during Clinton's second term, and was confirmed by the Senate on May 5, 1998. He had...
(1959) - Secretary of the Army, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. - Nadine WinterNadine WinterNadine P. Winter was a Democratic politician in Washington, D.C. She was elected as one of the original members of the Council of the District of Columbia in 1974 when D.C. gained home rule. She represented Ward 6 on the council from 1975 to 1991.Winter was born in New Bern, North Carolina in 1924...
- Member of the District of Columbia Council - Larry W. WombleLarry W. WombleLarry W. Womble is a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's seventy-first House district, including constituents in Forsyth county. A retired educator from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Womble is currently serving in his eighth term in the state...
- Member of the North Carolina State House of Representatives. - Lawrence JoelLawrence JoelLawrence Joel was a United States Army Sergeant First Class who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars...
- United States Army Medal Of Honor Recipient.