Harding University High School
Encyclopedia
Harry P. Harding University High School was established in 1992 as a Math, Science and Technology school in Charlotte, North Carolina
. International Baccalaureate was added to the established program in 1995.
Since March 2000, Harding has repeatedly been on the NewsWeek
's Top 100 High Schools in the nation in challenging students to undertake rigorous "Advanced Placement" (AP) and "International Baccalaureate" (IB) classes.
The motto of the school has changed several times. It is currently: "failure is not an option."
Originally organized as "Harry P. Harding High School" in 1935, it remained an all white school until 1957 when the school was integrated and later changed the name to Harding University High School of Math, Science, and Technology.
. Harding's was the only band chosen from North Carolina to march in the parade. The 110 person marching band made headlines for the fifty thousand dollars needed to travel to Washington, but were initially unable to raise the funds. Supporters across North Carolina made contributions to the band including Carolina Panthers
wide receiver Steve Smith, who donated $25,000
was one of the first black students admitted to the Harry P. Harding High School in 1957. She was one of the four black students enrolled at various all-white schools in the district for the first time in American history. After four days of massive harassment
that threatened her safety, her parents forced her to withdraw from the school.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. International Baccalaureate was added to the established program in 1995.
Since March 2000, Harding has repeatedly been on the NewsWeek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
's Top 100 High Schools in the nation in challenging students to undertake rigorous "Advanced Placement" (AP) and "International Baccalaureate" (IB) classes.
The motto of the school has changed several times. It is currently: "failure is not an option."
Originally organized as "Harry P. Harding High School" in 1935, it remained an all white school until 1957 when the school was integrated and later changed the name to Harding University High School of Math, Science, and Technology.
Notable alumni
- Ray DurhamRay DurhamRay Durham , nicknamed The Sugarman, is a former Major League Baseball second baseman.A two-time All-Star, Durham in his prime was one of the premier offensive catalysts in all of baseball, providing prototypical lead-off hitting with power...
(Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
2nd Baseman) - Anthony HamiltonAnthony Hamilton (musician)Anthony Hamilton is an American R&B, and soul singer-songwriter, and record producer who rose to fame with his platinum-selling second studio album Comin' from Where I'm From , which featured the singles "Comin' from Where I'm From" and "Charlene."-Life and career:Hamilton was born in Charlotte,...
(R&B Recording Artist)
Band of Gold
The renowned Harding University High School Band of Gold, led by director Anthony Jones, made national coverage in January 2009 for their invitation to the 56th Inaugural Parade of President Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
. Harding's was the only band chosen from North Carolina to march in the parade. The 110 person marching band made headlines for the fifty thousand dollars needed to travel to Washington, but were initially unable to raise the funds. Supporters across North Carolina made contributions to the band including Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
wide receiver Steve Smith, who donated $25,000
The Dorothy Counts Controversy
Dorothy CountsDorothy Counts
Dorothy Counts was one of the first black students admitted to the Harry Harding High School, in Charlotte, North Carolina. After four days of harassment that threatened her safety, her parents forced her to withdraw from the school.-History:...
was one of the first black students admitted to the Harry P. Harding High School in 1957. She was one of the four black students enrolled at various all-white schools in the district for the first time in American history. After four days of massive harassment
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
that threatened her safety, her parents forced her to withdraw from the school.