McDonogh No. 35 Senior High School
Encyclopedia
McDonogh No. 35 Senior High School was the first high school for African-American pupils in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana
. Prior to 1917, during the era of segregated school systems in the Southern US
, no public high school
existed in New Orleans for African-American pupils. Those interested in pursuing an education beyond the eighth grade had to attend one of the city's three private secondary schools for blacks: Leland College
, New Orleans University
, or Straight College.
It was in that year of 1917 that a group of spirited citizens met to petition the Orleans Parish School System to convert McDonogh 13 Boys' School from a white elementary school to a secondary educational facility for black pupils. The petition was granted and in the fall of 1917, McDonogh 35 became recognized as a four-year high school.
Over the years, McDonogh 35 has changed its location three times. The original building at 655 South Rampart Street was destroyed when Hurricane Betsy
struck New Orleans in 1965, and for the next four years the school was temporarily located in the former United States Post Office Building at 600 Camp Street. In 1969, students and faculty were moved into the school facility at 133 St.Ann Street that formerly housed McDonogh 41 Elementary School. The modern facility at 1331 Kerlerec Street was opened in September 1972.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. Prior to 1917, during the era of segregated school systems in the Southern US
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
, no public 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....
existed in New Orleans for African-American pupils. Those interested in pursuing an education beyond the eighth grade had to attend one of the city's three private secondary schools for blacks: Leland College
Leland College
Leland College was a school and college for blacks, that in fact was open to all races, that was established in 1870. It was established first in New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to a location near Baker, Louisiana in 1923, "after its original buildings burned".It was listed on the National...
, New Orleans University
New Orleans University
New Orleans University, was a historically black college that operated between 1873 and 1934 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church and affiliated with a number of preparatory schools located in various parts of the state of Louisiana...
, or Straight College.
It was in that year of 1917 that a group of spirited citizens met to petition the Orleans Parish School System to convert McDonogh 13 Boys' School from a white elementary school to a secondary educational facility for black pupils. The petition was granted and in the fall of 1917, McDonogh 35 became recognized as a four-year high school.
Over the years, McDonogh 35 has changed its location three times. The original building at 655 South Rampart Street was destroyed when Hurricane Betsy
Hurricane Betsy
Hurricane Betsy was a Category 4 hurricane of the 1965 Atlantic hurricane season which caused enormous damage in the Bahamas, Florida, and Louisiana. Betsy made its most intense landfall near the mouth of the Mississippi River, causing significant flooding of the waters of Lake Pontchartrain into...
struck New Orleans in 1965, and for the next four years the school was temporarily located in the former United States Post Office Building at 600 Camp Street. In 1969, students and faculty were moved into the school facility at 133 St.Ann Street that formerly housed McDonogh 41 Elementary School. The modern facility at 1331 Kerlerec Street was opened in September 1972.
Notable alumni
- Ernest Nathan MorialErnest Nathan MorialErnest Nathan Morial was a U.S. political figure and a leading civil rights advocate. He was the first black mayor of New Orleans, serving from 1978 to 1986. He was the father of former New Orleans mayor Marc Morial.-Early life and career:Morial was born in New Orleans of Creole ancestry and grew...
former mayor of New Orleans - Neil Smith (class of 1984) football linebacker who played at the University of Nebraska and a two-time Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
champion with the Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. - Darryl WillisDarryl WillisDarryl Keith Willis is the Vice President of resources of BP America and is head of Deepwater Horizon oil spill claims and public relations spokesperson for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill....
, vice president in charge of claims for BPBPBP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
in the Deepwater Horizon oil spillDeepwater Horizon oil spillThe Deepwater Horizon oil spill is an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico which flowed unabated for three months in 2010, and continues to leak fresh oil. It is the largest accidental marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum industry... - Michael Smith (sports reporter)Michael Smith (sports reporter)Michael Smith is a host, commentator, and reporter for ESPN -Career:Smith was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where he graduated from McDonogh No. 35 Senior High School and then Loyola University of New Orleans...
NFL reporter for ESPN and a senior writer for ESPN.com
Administration
- Philip White-Principal
- Joyce Chapital-Assistant Principal of Instruction
- Wilbrt Harris-Assistant Principal of Operations
- Kevin Sanders- Dean of Student Affairs
- Giselle Wing-Curriculum Facilitator