Southwest Magnet High School
Encyclopedia
Southwest Magnet High School, also known as Southwest-Macon and Southwest Magnet High School and Law Academy, is a high school
in Macon, Georgia
, serving students in grades 9
-12
. It is a unit of the Bibb County Public School System
.
In the 1970s, Macon residents often claimed that Southwest was the largest high school in the United States in both campus size and attendance numbers. Its sprawling campus complex comprised six classroom buildings (McEvoy A, McEvoy B, Willingham A, Willingham B, Ballard-Hudson A, Ballard-Hudson B), 5 of which had their own gymnasium. It had its own baseball field, 1/4 mile track, soccer field and football field. A fifth building was added in the 80s to accommodate technical education needs. Southwest High School was born out of the integration and co-ed movements of the late 60s and early 70s, during which the Alfred R. Willingham High School for Boys, the adjacent Margaret McEvoy High School for Girls, and nearby all-black Ballard-Hudson High School merged, and eventually rose to national prominence under the leadership of complex principals W. C. Whitley and Gloria Washington.
Its large student body enabled the school to have successful teams in baseball, track and field, football and basketball, as well as numerous academic teams. Its chief rival was Central High School
's Chargers. Each fall, the campus hosted Orange Crush week designed to celebrate the upcoming game between the Southwest Patriots (whose colors are red, white and blue) and Central Chargers (whose main color was orange). Now, their rival is the Northeast Magnet High School's Raiders.
In the late 1980s, because of growing concerns about successful management of the enormous student body, the school was split into Southwest High School and Southeast High School. Southwest later added a magnet program, focusing on preparatory curricula for law and criminal justice careers.
Prior to the school's split, Southwest High School also produced NBA basketball greats Norm Nixon
(#10 Los Angeles Lakers
1977-83), Jeff Malone
(Miami Heat
, Philadelphia 76ers
, & Washington Bullets 1983-90). The school was also nationally known for its marching band, "The Southwest Marching Patriots Band," or the "Big Red Machine," and its concert and jazz bands, all of which succeeded under the demanding and temperamental direction of Bill Hunter and Oscar Jackson. In addition, the school also produced marketing genius, Joy Sutherland Highnote(1975-78).
Complex Principals
Dr. Wallace Whitley (1971-1981)
Gloria Washington (1981-1989)
Gerald Stuart (1989-1991)
Dr. Columbus Watkins (1991-1998)
Dr. Gail Fowler (1998-2006)
Tyrone Bacon (2006-2010)
Dr. Benjy Spann-Morgan (2010-2011)
Elizabeth Blair-Ricks (2011-)
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....
in Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
, serving students in grades 9
Ninth grade
Ninth grade is the ninth post-kindergarten year of school education in some school systems. The students are 13 to 15 years of age, depending on when their birthday occurs. Depending on the school district, ninth grade is usually the first year of high school....
-12
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
. It is a unit of the Bibb County Public School System
Bibb County Public School District
Bibb County Public Schools is the county government agency which operates the public schools in Bibb County, Georgia, USA.-Elementary schools:*Alexander II Magnet School*Barden Elementary School*Bernd Elementary School*Brookdale Elementary School...
.
In the 1970s, Macon residents often claimed that Southwest was the largest high school in the United States in both campus size and attendance numbers. Its sprawling campus complex comprised six classroom buildings (McEvoy A, McEvoy B, Willingham A, Willingham B, Ballard-Hudson A, Ballard-Hudson B), 5 of which had their own gymnasium. It had its own baseball field, 1/4 mile track, soccer field and football field. A fifth building was added in the 80s to accommodate technical education needs. Southwest High School was born out of the integration and co-ed movements of the late 60s and early 70s, during which the Alfred R. Willingham High School for Boys, the adjacent Margaret McEvoy High School for Girls, and nearby all-black Ballard-Hudson High School merged, and eventually rose to national prominence under the leadership of complex principals W. C. Whitley and Gloria Washington.
Its large student body enabled the school to have successful teams in baseball, track and field, football and basketball, as well as numerous academic teams. Its chief rival was Central High School
Central High School (Macon, Georgia)
Central High School, also known as Central-Macon, Central-Bibb, and Central Fine Arts and International Baccalaureate Magnet High School is a high school in Macon, Georgia, USA, serving students in grades 9-12...
's Chargers. Each fall, the campus hosted Orange Crush week designed to celebrate the upcoming game between the Southwest Patriots (whose colors are red, white and blue) and Central Chargers (whose main color was orange). Now, their rival is the Northeast Magnet High School's Raiders.
In the late 1980s, because of growing concerns about successful management of the enormous student body, the school was split into Southwest High School and Southeast High School. Southwest later added a magnet program, focusing on preparatory curricula for law and criminal justice careers.
Prior to the school's split, Southwest High School also produced NBA basketball greats Norm Nixon
Norm Nixon
Norman Ellard "Norm" Nixon is a retired American professional basketball player for the NBA, who spent twelve seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers.-Early life:...
(#10 Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
1977-83), Jeff Malone
Jeff Malone
Jeffrey Nigel Malone is a retired American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Mississippi State University, and is mostly known for his time with the Washington Bullets of the NBA, where he was an NBA All-Star twice, playing the shooting guard position...
(Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, & Washington Bullets 1983-90). The school was also nationally known for its marching band, "The Southwest Marching Patriots Band," or the "Big Red Machine," and its concert and jazz bands, all of which succeeded under the demanding and temperamental direction of Bill Hunter and Oscar Jackson. In addition, the school also produced marketing genius, Joy Sutherland Highnote(1975-78).
Complex Principals
Dr. Wallace Whitley (1971-1981)
Gloria Washington (1981-1989)
Gerald Stuart (1989-1991)
Dr. Columbus Watkins (1991-1998)
Dr. Gail Fowler (1998-2006)
Tyrone Bacon (2006-2010)
Dr. Benjy Spann-Morgan (2010-2011)
Elizabeth Blair-Ricks (2011-)