Crispus Attucks High School
Encyclopedia
Crispus Attucks High School of Indianapolis Public Schools
in Indianapolis, Indiana
is named for Crispus Attucks
(c.1723–March 5, 1770), a black laborer killed at the Boston Massacre
whom many regarded as a revolutionary leader. Built at a location northwest of downtown Indianapolis
, Crispus Attucks was the only high school in Indianapolis designated specifically for African-Americans, although blacks were permitted to attend any public school.
, Washington, and Shortridge were removed from those schools and forced to enroll at Crispus Attucks. It was thought, at the time, that students would receive a 'separate but equal' education; but the students were gifted with excellent teachers. While most other high schools had teachers armed with an undergraduate Bachelor's Degree, all of the teachers at Attucks had at least a Master's degree and at most a Ph.D.
An all-black school had to have all black teachers, and of those teachers hired for this new school, they came well-educated. While black students were allowed to attend colleges and universities, they were not yet allowed to teach there. Schools of higher learning did not admit blacks to their faculties. That left a large group of over-qualifed teachers forced to teach at the high-school level. In one's estimation, that allowed students to graduate from high school with some college-level knowledge.
In 1955, the school's basketball
team, led by future professional star and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson
, gained fame by winning the Indiana state championship, becoming the first all-black school in the nation to win a state title. Robertson led Crispus Attucks to another championship in 1956, as it was the first Indiana high school team to complete a season undefeated.
Attucks began admitting white students in 1967. In 1981, the school was threatened with closure due to rapidly declining enrollment within Indianapolis Public Schools
(IPS). Instead, the school was converted from a high school
to a junior high school in 1986, then to a middle school in 1993, and then back to a high school in 2006.
In 2006, Superintendent Eugene White announced the formation of "The Medical Magnet at Crispus Attucks," thus changing the school from a middle school to a medical preparatory 6–12 high school. This is partially because of the school's proximity to the campus of Indiana University School of Medicine
and the associated hospitals. The change will be made by adding one grade each year. The first class will graduate in 2010. The first class to go through the medical magnet will graduate in 2013.
Crispus Attucks was placed in the National Register of Historic Places
in 1986.
Angela Brown
, member of the United States House of Representatives
Julia Carson
, writer Janet Langhart-Cohen
, and all members of the rhythm and blues
"doo-wop
" band The Counts
, Rodney Stepp
of the Spinners, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard and James Spaulding Jazz Greats. , Willie Merriweather Purdue and U.S.Olympic Team, Boo Ellis, Hallie Bryant and Bobby Joe Edmunds Harlem Globetroters, Meshach Taylor television actor
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools, abbreviated locally as IPS, is the largest school district in Indianapolis as well as in the state of Indiana with 33,372 students enrolled in 2009-2010...
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
is named for Crispus Attucks
Crispus Attucks
Crispus Attucks was a dockworker of Wampanoag and African descent. He was the first person shot to death by British redcoats during the Boston Massacre, in Boston, Massachusetts...
(c.1723–March 5, 1770), a black laborer killed at the Boston Massacre
Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre, called the Boston Riot by the British, was an incident on March 5, 1770, in which British Army soldiers killed five civilian men. British troops had been stationed in Boston, capital of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, since 1768 in order to protect and support...
whom many regarded as a revolutionary leader. Built at a location northwest of downtown Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, Crispus Attucks was the only high school in Indianapolis designated specifically for African-Americans, although blacks were permitted to attend any public school.
History
Built northwest of downtown Indianapolis, Crispus Attucks was the only all-black high school in Indianapolis. White residents of the city, not wanting their children to attend an integrated high school, designated a new school be built, specifically for African-American students. Teenagers who were enrolled at other city high schools such as Arsenal TechnicalArsenal Technical High School
Arsenal Technical High School is a public high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States which is run by the Indianapolis Public Schools school system. Established in 1912, the school consists of a , multiple building campus east of downtown Indianapolis and is the only such type school in...
, Washington, and Shortridge were removed from those schools and forced to enroll at Crispus Attucks. It was thought, at the time, that students would receive a 'separate but equal' education; but the students were gifted with excellent teachers. While most other high schools had teachers armed with an undergraduate Bachelor's Degree, all of the teachers at Attucks had at least a Master's degree and at most a Ph.D.
An all-black school had to have all black teachers, and of those teachers hired for this new school, they came well-educated. While black students were allowed to attend colleges and universities, they were not yet allowed to teach there. Schools of higher learning did not admit blacks to their faculties. That left a large group of over-qualifed teachers forced to teach at the high-school level. In one's estimation, that allowed students to graduate from high school with some college-level knowledge.
In 1955, the school's basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team, led by future professional star and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson
Oscar Palmer Robertson , nicknamed "The Big O", is a former American NBA player with the Cincinnati Royals and the Milwaukee Bucks...
, gained fame by winning the Indiana state championship, becoming the first all-black school in the nation to win a state title. Robertson led Crispus Attucks to another championship in 1956, as it was the first Indiana high school team to complete a season undefeated.
Attucks began admitting white students in 1967. In 1981, the school was threatened with closure due to rapidly declining enrollment within Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools, abbreviated locally as IPS, is the largest school district in Indianapolis as well as in the state of Indiana with 33,372 students enrolled in 2009-2010...
(IPS). Instead, the school was converted from a high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
to a junior high school in 1986, then to a middle school in 1993, and then back to a high school in 2006.
In 2006, Superintendent Eugene White announced the formation of "The Medical Magnet at Crispus Attucks," thus changing the school from a middle school to a medical preparatory 6–12 high school. This is partially because of the school's proximity to the campus of Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
The Indiana University School of Medicine is a leading medical school and medical research powerhouse connected to Indiana University. With several teaching campuses in the state, the School of Medicine has its predominant research and medical center at the Indiana University – Purdue University...
and the associated hospitals. The change will be made by adding one grade each year. The first class will graduate in 2010. The first class to go through the medical magnet will graduate in 2013.
Crispus Attucks was placed in the 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...
in 1986.
Alumni
In addition to Robertson and many others of note, alumni of Crispus Attucks High School include composer David Baker, dramatic sopranoDramatic soprano
A dramatic soprano is an operatic soprano with a powerful, rich, emotive voice that can sing over, or cut through, a full orchestra. Thicker vocal folds in dramatic voices usually mean less agility than lighter voices but a sustained, fuller sound. Usually this voice has a lower tessitura than...
Angela Brown
Angela Brown
Angela M. Brown is an African-American dramatic soprano particularly admired for her portrayal of Verdi heroines.-Early life and education:...
, member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Julia Carson
Julia Carson
Julia May Carson , born Julia May Porter, was a member of the United States House of Representatives for from 1997 until her death in 2007 . Carson was the first woman and first African American to represent the 7th District...
, writer Janet Langhart-Cohen
Janet Langhart
Janet Langhart Cohen is an American model, television journalist and author. She serves as President and CEO of Langhart Communications and is the spouse of former Defense Secretary William Cohen...
, and all members of the rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
"doo-wop
Doo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
" band The Counts
The Counts
The Counts is a R&B doo-wop band that started in 1953 and is still performing today. Band members include lead singer Chester Brown, James Lee, Robert Penick, Robert Wesley, and Robert Young. The Counts are also known as The Original Counts for the fact they have not replaced any members in their...
, Rodney Stepp
Rodney Stepp
is an American keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. As a jazz, R&B/soul performer, Rodney's musical career has spanned more than 50 years and 5 continents, performing alongside Michael Jackson, Babyface, The Spinners, Wayman Tisdale, Mary Wilson, and other notable artists...
of the Spinners, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard and James Spaulding Jazz Greats. , Willie Merriweather Purdue and U.S.Olympic Team, Boo Ellis, Hallie Bryant and Bobby Joe Edmunds Harlem Globetroters, Meshach Taylor television actor