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{{other uses|Booker T. Washington High School (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox school
{{Infobox school
| name = Booker T. Washington High School
| name = Booker T. Washington High School
| image = Booker T. Washington HSEP.jpg
⚫
| image = WashingtonHighSchoolHouston.JPG
| principal = Carlos Phillips II
| principal = Carlos Phillips II
| location = 4204 Yale Street
| location = 4204 Yale Street
| city = [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]
| city = [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]
| state = [[Texas]]
| state = Texas
| zipcode = 77018
| zipcode = 77018
| country = [[United States]]
| country = United States
| coordinates = {{coord|29.821837|-95.398854|type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|29.821837|-95.398854|type:edu|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Texas#USA
| pushpin_map = Texas#USA
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| ratio = 14.52<ref name=NCES/>
| ratio = 14.52<ref name=NCES/>
| enrollment = 760 (2018–19){{NCES School ID|482364002605|school_name=WASHINGTON B T H S|access_date=July 5, 2020|do_not_render=y|ref_name=NCES}}
| enrollment = 760 (2018–19){{NCES School ID|482364002605|school_name=WASHINGTON B T H S|access_date=July 5, 2020|do_not_render=y|ref_name=NCES}}
| mascot = War Eagle
| mascot = Golden Eagle
| colors = {{color box|royalblue}} {{color box|gold}}
| colors = {{color box|royalblue}} {{color box|gold}}
}}
}}
'''Booker T. Washington High School''' (nicknamed "'''Booker T.'''") is a secondary school located in the [[Independence Heights, Houston|Independence Heights]] community in [[Houston, Texas]].<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron">{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Restoring-glory-to-Booker-T-city-s-first-black-2929631.php |title=Effort to save historic Booker T. High gains steam |last=Radcliffe |first=Jennifer |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=February 2, 2012 |access-date=February 2, 2012.</ref> Washington serves grades 9 through 12, and is a part of the [[Houston Independent School District]]. The school has a neighborhood program that serves neighborhoods outside the [[610 Loop]] and inside [[Beltway 8]] in the northwest part of Houston, including the neighborhoods of [[Independence Heights, Houston, Texas|Independence Heights]], [[Highland Heights, Houston, Texas|Highland Heights]], and most of [[Acres Homes]]. The school was named after education pioneer [[Booker T. Washington]].
'''Booker T. Washington High School''' (nicknamed "'''Booker T.'''") is a secondary school located in the [[Independence Heights, Houston|Independence Heights]] community in [[Houston, Texas]].<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron">{{cite news |url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Restoring-glory-to-Booker-T-city-s-first-black-2929631.php |title=Effort to save historic Booker T. High gains steam |last=Radcliffe |first=Jennifer |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=February 2, 2012 |access-date=February 2, 2012}}</ref> Washington serves grades 9 through 12, and is a part of the [[Houston Independent School District]]. The school has a neighborhood program that serves neighborhoods outside the [[610 Loop]] and inside [[Beltway 8]] in the northwest part of Houston, including the neighborhoods of [[Independence Heights, Houston, Texas|Independence Heights]], [[Highland Heights, Houston, Texas|Highland Heights]], and most of [[Acres Homes]]. The school was named after education pioneer [[Booker T. Washington]].


The '''High School For Engineering Professions''' is located on the campus.
The '''High School For Engineering Professions''' is located on the campus.


==History==
==History==
⚫
[[File:WashingtonHighSchoolHouston.JPG|thumb|Former campus]]
The school was established in 1893 in Houston's [[Fourth Ward, Houston|Fourth Ward]] as "Colored High." The first location for the school, 303 West Dallas, is considered to be within [[Downtown Houston]] as of 2007.<ref name="houstonisd.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=0afe09c28afc3110VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextchannel=2e2b2f796138c010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD |title=School Histories: the Stories Behind the Names |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710153727/http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=0afe09c28afc3110VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextchannel=2e2b2f796138c010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |website=houstonisd.org |access-date=February 3, 2012}}</ref> Originally it was the only [[Black school|secondary school for black people]] in the city;<ref name=Steptoep211>{{cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dixie_West/X2bUAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=Dixie West: Race, Migration, and the Color Lines in Jim Crow Houston |last=Steptoe |first=Tyina Leaneice |publisher=ProQuest |year=2008 |isbn=9780549635871 |page=211 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref> at the time [[School segregation in the United States|schools were segregated by race]].
The school was established in 1893 in Houston's [[Fourth Ward, Houston|Fourth Ward]] as "Colored High." The first location for the school, 303 West Dallas, is considered to be within [[Downtown Houston]] as of 2007.<ref name="houstonisd.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=0afe09c28afc3110VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextchannel=2e2b2f796138c010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD |title=School Histories: the Stories Behind the Names |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710153727/http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=0afe09c28afc3110VgnVCM10000028147fa6RCRD&vgnextchannel=2e2b2f796138c010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD |archive-date=July 10, 2011 |website=houstonisd.org |access-date=February 3, 2012}}</ref> Originally it was the only [[Black school|secondary school for black people]] in the city;<ref name=Steptoep211>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X2bUAAAAMAAJ |title=Dixie West: Race, Migration, and the Color Lines in Jim Crow Houston |last=Steptoe |first=Tyina Leaneice |year=2008 |isbn=9780549635871 |page=211 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref> at the time [[School segregation in the United States|schools were segregated by race]].


A 1923 ''[[Houston Informer]]'' article stated that the school building was in bad repair, calling it a "rat trap".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Thyra_J_Edwards/s8prDdxTpQ4C?hl=en&gbpv=0 |title=Thyra J. Edwards: Black Activist in the Global Freedom Struggle |last=Andrews |first=Gregg |publisher=University of Missouri Press |date=June 14, 2011 |isbn=9780826219121 |page=20 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
A 1923 ''[[Houston Informer]]'' article stated that the school building was in bad repair, calling it a "rat trap".<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s8prDdxTpQ4C |title=Thyra J. Edwards: Black Activist in the Global Freedom Struggle |last=Andrews |first=Gregg |publisher=University of Missouri Press |date=June 14, 2011 |isbn=9780826219121 |page=20 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>


In 1925 the school board stated that it would build a new black high school due to the increasing black population. The ''[[The Houston Informer and Texas Freeman|Houston Informer]]'' stated that the schools need to be named after prominent black people from the city and/or other successful black persons. The original colored high school was renamed after [[Booker T. Washington]], a famous black educator who became the namesake of many black schools in the [[Southern United States]].<ref name=Steptoep211/> The school was given its current name in 1928.<ref name=btwhistory>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonisd.org/domain/18413 |title=Booker T. Washington High School History |website=houstonisd.org |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref> Washington was relieved by the construction and opening of [[Jack Yates High School|Yates]] and [[Wheatley High School (Houston)|Wheatley]] high schools in the 1920s.<ref name=Kellarp31>{{cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Make_Haste_Slowly/owWXO5jkeGUC |title=Make Haste Slowly: Moderates, Conservatives, and School Desegregation in Houston |author=Kellar, William Henry |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |year=1999 |isbn=1603447180 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
In 1925 the school board stated that it would build a new black high school due to the increasing black population. The ''[[The Houston Informer and Texas Freeman|Houston Informer]]'' stated that the schools need to be named after prominent black people from the city and/or other successful black persons. The original colored high school was renamed after [[Booker T. Washington]], a famous black educator who became the namesake of many black schools in the [[Southern United States]].<ref name=Steptoep211/> The school was given its current name in 1928.<ref name=btwhistory>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonisd.org/domain/18413 |title=Booker T. Washington High School History |website=houstonisd.org |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref> Washington was relieved by the construction and opening of [[Jack Yates High School|Yates]] and [[Wheatley High School (Houston)|Wheatley]] high schools in the 1920s.<ref name=Kellarp31>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=owWXO5jkeGUC |title=Make Haste Slowly: Moderates, Conservatives, and School Desegregation in Houston |author=Kellar, William Henry |publisher=Texas A&M University Press |year=1999 |isbn=1603447180 |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>


The school moved to its current location in Independence Heights in 1959.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Lockett Junior High School, which closed in June 1968, was established in the former Washington campus.<ref name="houstonisd.org"/> The school [[desegregation in the United States|desegregated]] by 1970.
The school moved to its current location in Independence Heights in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Booker T. Washington High School |url=https://texashistoricalmarkers.weebly.com/booker-t-washington-high-school.html |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKERS |language=en}}</ref> Lockett Junior High School, which closed in June 1968, was established in the former Washington campus.<ref name="houstonisd.org"/> The school [[desegregation in the United States|desegregated]] by 1970.


After Franklyn Wesley retired as principal in June 2007,<ref name=wesley>{{cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Retired-HISD-principal-Franklyn-Wesley-dies-at-88-1618377.php |title=Retired HISD principal Franklyn Wesley dies at 88 |date=September 12, 2007 |last=Radcliffe |first=Jennifer |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> Houston ISD chose Mark Bedell, formerly an assistant principal at [[Worthing High School (Houston)|Worthing High School]], as the principal.<ref name=khoubedell>{{cite web |url=http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070803_jj_principalfightvictorkeys.dc168c4f.html |title=HISD under fire after naming new Booker T. Washington principal |date=August 3, 2007 |last=Russell |first=Russell |access-date=August 6, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817032456/http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070803_jj_principalfightvictorkeys.dc168c4f.html |archive-date=August 17, 2007}}</ref> Victor Keys, an assistant principal and an alumna of Washington, would remain as an assistant principal. Some alumni of Washington High School and members of the community around the school protested the decision to hire Bedell because they wished for the district to hire Keys instead of Bedell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070804_tnt_bookertwashington.d41e81.html |title=HISD's pick for principal draws ire |url-status=dead |first=Chau |last=Nguyen |date=August 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817043512/http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070804_tnt_bookertwashington.d41e81.html |archive-date=August 17, 2007}}</ref><ref name=khoubedell/> The current Washington principal is Carlos Phillips II.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonisd.org/washingtonhs |title=Welcome to Washington High School |website=houstonisd.org/washingtonhs |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
After Franklyn Wesley retired as principal in June 2007,<ref name=wesley>{{cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Retired-HISD-principal-Franklyn-Wesley-dies-at-88-1618377.php |title=Retired HISD principal Franklyn Wesley dies at 88 |date=September 12, 2007 |last=Radcliffe |first=Jennifer |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> Houston ISD chose Mark Bedell, formerly an assistant principal at [[Worthing High School (Houston)|Worthing High School]], as the principal.<ref name=khoubedell>{{cite web |url=http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070803_jj_principalfightvictorkeys.dc168c4f.html |title=HISD under fire after naming new Booker T. Washington principal |date=August 3, 2007 |last=Russell |first=Russell |access-date=August 6, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817032456/http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070803_jj_principalfightvictorkeys.dc168c4f.html |archive-date=August 17, 2007}}</ref> Victor Keys, an assistant principal and an alumna of Washington, would remain as an assistant principal. Some alumni of Washington High School and members of the community around the school protested the decision to hire Bedell because they wished for the district to hire Keys instead of Bedell.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070804_tnt_bookertwashington.d41e81.html |title=HISD's pick for principal draws ire |url-status=dead |first=Chau |last=Nguyen |date=August 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817043512/http://www.khou.com/news/local/education/stories/khou070804_tnt_bookertwashington.d41e81.html |archive-date=August 17, 2007}}</ref><ref name=khoubedell/> The current Washington principal is Carlos Phillips II.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonisd.org/washingtonhs |title=Welcome to Washington High School |website=houstonisd.org/washingtonhs |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
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Wesley died September 11, 2007, at age 88. He served as the principal of the campus for more than 40 years, and worked as an educator for more than 65 years, spending all of but 10 of those years in HISD.<ref name=wesley/>
Wesley died September 11, 2007, at age 88. He served as the principal of the campus for more than 40 years, and worked as an educator for more than 65 years, spending all of but 10 of those years in HISD.<ref name=wesley/>


In February 2012, because the school population was at a historic low of 823, several members of the Independence Heights community, led by [[Sylvester Turner]], a [[Texas Legislature]] representative, advocated for reinvestment in the school. They advocated for making Washington competitive with [[Reagan High School (Houston)|Reagan High School]] and [[Waltrip High School]].<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/> The leaders argue that HISD had neglected the school.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?id=8436140&section=news/education |title=Community leaders fear historic high school in danger |date=November 17, 2011 |publisher=KTRK-TV ABC Channel 13 |access-date=February 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120701103014/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?id=8436140&section=news/education |archive-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref> Turner and Washington High School officials established a donation campaign. As of January 19, 2012, the campaign raised $135,000. [[Kroger]] donated $10,000 of the funds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2012/01/18/32463/oldest-school-gets-a-good-old-boost/ |title=Oldest School Gets a Good Old Boost |last=Howlin |first=Edel |date=January 18, 2012 |publisher=Houston Public Media |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>
In February 2012, because the school population was at a historic low of 823, several members of the Independence Heights community, led by [[Sylvester Turner]], a [[Texas Legislature]] representative, advocated for reinvestment in the school. They advocated for making Washington competitive with [[Reagan High School (Houston)|Reagan High School]] and [[Waltrip High School]].<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/> The leaders argue that HISD had neglected the school.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abc7chicago.com/archive/8436140/ |title=Community leaders fear historic high school in danger |date=November 17, 2011 |publisher=KTRK-TV ABC Channel 13 |access-date=February 2, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701103014/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?id=8436140&section=news/education |archive-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref> Turner and Washington High School officials established a donation campaign. As of January 19, 2012, the campaign raised $135,000. [[Kroger]] donated $10,000 of the funds.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/2012/01/18/32463/oldest-school-gets-a-good-old-boost/ |title=Oldest School Gets a Good Old Boost |last=Howlin |first=Edel |date=January 18, 2012 |publisher=Houston Public Media |access-date=November 1, 2020}}</ref>


Around 2012, each year 400 students from Booker T. Washington transferred to Reagan and Waltrip.<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/>
Around 2012, each year 400 students from Booker T. Washington transferred to Reagan and Waltrip.<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/>
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By 2015, the district purchased several houses around the high school as part of its program to rebuild the high school.<ref>Schiller, Dane. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Neighborhood-a-battered-ghost-town-waiting-for-6033956.php#/0 Neighborhood a battered ghost town waiting for new 'Booker T']." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. January 22, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2015.</ref> After criminals began taking parts from the houses, residents argued that the way the houses were acquired could attract criminality.<ref>Schiller, Dane. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Abandoned-houses-leave-Ghost-Town-for-new-Booker-T-6035533.php#/0 Abandoned houses leave ghost town for new Booker T]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. January 23, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2015.</ref>
By 2015, the district purchased several houses around the high school as part of its program to rebuild the high school.<ref>Schiller, Dane. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Neighborhood-a-battered-ghost-town-waiting-for-6033956.php#/0 Neighborhood a battered ghost town waiting for new 'Booker T']." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. January 22, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2015.</ref> After criminals began taking parts from the houses, residents argued that the way the houses were acquired could attract criminality.<ref>Schiller, Dane. "[http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/Abandoned-houses-leave-Ghost-Town-for-new-Booker-T-6035533.php#/0 Abandoned houses leave ghost town for new Booker T]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. January 23, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2015.</ref>


Using funds from the Houston ISD 2012 bond, the district constructed a new building for the school, which opened at the beginning of the 2018–2019 school year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Furr |first=Laura |title=HISD breaks ground on latest school in $1.9B bond program, to double campus size |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2016/04/hisd-breaks-ground-on-latest-school-in-1-9b-bond.html |website=Houston Business Journal |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |accessdate=6 July 2020 |date=15 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Keith |first=Damali |title=Booker T. Washington High School marks 125 years with new building |url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/booker-t-washington-high-school-marks-125-years-with-new-building |website=[[KRIV (TV)|Fox 26 Houston]] |publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX Television Stations]] |accessdate=6 July 2020 |date=27 August 2018}}</ref>
Using funds from the Houston ISD 2012 bond, the district constructed a new building for the school, which opened at the beginning of the 2018–2019 school year.<ref>{{cite web |last=Furr |first=Laura |title=HISD breaks ground on latest school in $1.9B bond program, to double campus size |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2016/04/hisd-breaks-ground-on-latest-school-in-1-9b-bond.html |website=Houston Business Journal |publisher=[[American City Business Journals]] |access-date=6 July 2020 |date=15 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Keith |first=Damali |title=Booker T. Washington High School marks 125 years with new building |url=https://www.fox26houston.com/news/booker-t-washington-high-school-marks-125-years-with-new-building |website=[[KRIV (TV)|Fox 26 Houston]] |publisher=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|FOX Television Stations]] |access-date=6 July 2020 |date=27 August 2018}}</ref>


==Academics==
==Academics==
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==Attendance zone==
==Attendance zone==
One [[Houston Housing Authority]] (HHA) [[public housing in the United States)|public housing complex]], Lincoln Park, is zoned to the school.<ref>"[http://www.housingforhouston.com/public-housing/housing-developments/lincoln-park.aspx Lincoln Park]." [[Houston Housing Authority]]. Retrieved on January 2, 2018. "790 West Little York Houston, Texas 77091"</ref><ref name=WashingtonBTZone>"[https://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/32468/boundarymaps/Washington_HS.pdf Washington High School Attendance Zone]." [[Houston Independent School District]]. Retrieved on January 2, 2019.</ref>
One [[Houston Housing Authority]] (HHA) [[Subsidized housing in the United States|subsidized housing complex]], Lincoln Park, is zoned to the school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.housingforhouston.com/public-housing/housing-developments/lincoln-park.aspx |title=Lincoln Park |website=Houston Housing Authority |access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref><ref name=WashingtonBTZone>{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonisd.org/cms/lib2/TX01001591/Centricity/Domain/32468/boundarymaps/Washington_HS.pdf |title=Washington High School Attendance Zone |website=Houston Independent School District |access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref>


==Transportation==
==Transportation==
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Washington had 1,520 students in 1995,<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/> about 900 students in 2010,<ref name="RadcliffePowerchron">{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Power-failure-closes-Booker-T-Washington-High-1704886.php |title=Power failure closes Booker T. Washington High School |last=Radcliffe |first=Jennifer |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2012}}</ref> and 823 students in February 2012, a historic low based on population statistics of the area.<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/>
Washington had 1,520 students in 1995,<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/> about 900 students in 2010,<ref name="RadcliffePowerchron">{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Power-failure-closes-Booker-T-Washington-High-1704886.php |title=Power failure closes Booker T. Washington High School |last=Radcliffe |first=Jennifer |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=February 2, 2012}}</ref> and 823 students in February 2012, a historic low based on population statistics of the area.<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/>


In the 2011-2012 school year, the magnet school, with a capacity of 400 students, had 226 students.<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/>
In the 2011–2012 school year, the magnet school, with a capacity of 400 students, had 226 students.<ref name="RadcliffeRevivalchron"/>


==School uniforms==
==School uniforms==
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==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
*[[J. V. Cain]] (class of 1969), former NFL tight end for St. Louis Cardinals
* [[J.V. Cain]] - Former professional football player for the [[Arizona Cardinals|St. Louis Cardinals]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103540485/james-victor-cain |title=James Victor “J.V.” Cain Jr. |website=findagrave.com |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Samuel A. Countee]] (class of 1928), painter and sculptor<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Pruitt |first=Bernadette |date=August 15, 2013 |title=Countee, Samuel Albert |url=https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/countee-samuel-albert |access-date= |website=Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)}}</ref>
* [[Eldridge Dickey]] (class of 1964) - Former quarterback/wide receiver for the AFL Oakland Raiders; in 1968 became the first African-American to be selected in the first round of a professional football draft<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bqb-site.com/dickey.htm |title=Remembering Eldridge Dickey: A Pioneer Before His Time |date=April 1, 2007 |first=Lloyd |last=Vance |website=BQB_site.com |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Eldridge Dickey]] (class of 1964), former quarterback/wide receiver for the AFL Oakland Raiders; in 1968 became the first African-American Quarterback to be selected in the first round of a professional football draft<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bqb-site.com/dickey.htm |title=Remembering Eldridge Dickey: A Pioneer Before His Time |date=April 1, 2007 |first=Lloyd |last=Vance |website=BQB_site.com |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Don Goode]] - Former professional football player{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
* [[Nate Hawkins]] - Former NFL wider receiver for the [[Houston Oilers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HawkNa00.htm |title=Nate Hawkins NFL Football Statistics |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Nate Hawkins]], former NFL wide receiver for the [[Houston Oilers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HawkNa00.htm |title=Nate Hawkins NFL Football Statistics |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Mercury Hayes]] (class of 1992) - Former NFL wide receiver/kick returner for the [[New Orleans Saints]], [[Atlanta Falcons]], and [[Washington Redskins]] practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_545d1f92-d1f5-5f59-84c5-56dabfdd5217.html |title=Wolverine senior flanker Hayes spices up Michigan's potent aerial assault |last=Signora |first=Michael |date=November 18, 1995 |publisher=Collegian Inc |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Mercury Hayes]] (class of 1992), former NFL wide receiver/kick returner for the [[New Orleans Saints]], [[Atlanta Falcons]], and [[Washington Redskins]] practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collegian.psu.edu/archives/article_545d1f92-d1f5-5f59-84c5-56dabfdd5217.html |title=Wolverine senior flanker Hayes spices up Michigan's potent aerial assault |last=Signora |first=Michael |date=November 18, 1995 |publisher=Collegian Inc |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Jennifer Holliday]] (class of 1978) - [[Grammy]] award-winning singer and actress.<ref name="Distinguished">{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/32173 |title=Distinguished HISD Alumni |website=houstonisd.org |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Jennifer Holliday]] (class of 1978), [[Grammy]] award-winning singer and actress.<ref name="Distinguished">{{cite web |url=https://www.houstonisd.org/Page/32173 |title=Distinguished HISD Alumni |website=houstonisd.org |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Mike Jones (rapper)|Mike Jones]] (did not graduate) - Notable Houston Rapper{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
* Lawrence Marshall (class of 1951) - Former board member for Houston Independent School District<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/After-50-years-at-HISD-Marshall-leaves-5100572.php |title=After 50 years at HISD, Marshall leaves complicated legacy |first=Ericka |last=Mellon |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=December 29, 2013 |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* Lawrence Marshall (class of 1951) - Former board member for Houston Independent School District<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/After-50-years-at-HISD-Marshall-leaves-5100572.php |title=After 50 years at HISD, Marshall leaves complicated legacy |first=Ericka |last=Mellon |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=December 29, 2013 |access-date=October 31, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Leonard Mitchell]] (class of 1977) - Former NFL defensive end and offensive tackle<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/slideshow/Every-NFL-Draft-first-round-pick-from-Houston-area-201562.php |title=The 66 NFL Draft first-round picks who grew up in Houston |first=Matt |last=Young |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=January 2, 2024}}</ref>
* [[Speedy Thomas]] (class of 1965) - Former NFL receiver for the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], and [[New Orleans Saints]].{{citation needed|date=February 2012}}
* [[Speedy Thomas]] (class of 1965) - Former NFL receiver for the [[Cincinnati Bengals]], and [[New Orleans Saints]].{{citation needed|date=February 2012}}
* Rogers O. Whitmire, M.D. (class of 1963) - One of the first five African-American physicians to graduate from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (1973), the first African-American physician to complete the OB/GYN (Obstetrics and Gynecology) program at Baylor College of Medicine, and the first African-American physician to establish a private medical office in the Texas Medical Center of Houston, Texas, which was active continuously from 1977 until Dr. Whitmire's death in 2015.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal bar|Texas|Schools|United States}}
{{Portal bar|Texas|Schools|United States}}
* [[History of the African-Americans in Houston]]
* [[History of the African-Americans in Houston]]
* [[List of things named after Booker T. Washington]]


==References==
==References==
Line 107: Line 109:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.houstonisd.org/washingtonhs Booker T. Washington High School]
* {{official|https://www.houstonisd.org/washingtonhs}}
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.btwashington.org/|title=Booker T. Washington High School}}
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.btwashington.org/|title=Booker T. Washington High School}}
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://hs.houstonisd.org/washingtonhs|title=Booker T. Washington High School}}
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://hs.houstonisd.org/washingtonhs|title=Booker T. Washington High School}}
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.hal-pc.org:80/~booker_t/|title=Booker T. Washington High School}}<!--These were official sites in the early days of the internet-->
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.hal-pc.org:80/~booker_t/|title=Booker T. Washington High School}}<!--These were official sites in the early days of the internet-->
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.insync.net:80/~jpabad/|title=Booker T. Washington High School HSEP}}
** {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/http://www.insync.net:80/~jpabad/|title=Booker T. Washington High School HSEP}}

{{Houston ISD}}
{{Houston ISD}}
{{Houston High Schools}}
{{Houston High Schools}}
{{Booker T. Washington}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Booker T. High School}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Booker T. High School}}

Latest revision as of 15:19, 31 October 2024

For other uses, see Booker T. Washington High School (disambiguation).
Booker T. Washington High School
Location
Map
4204 Yale Street

Houston
,
Texas
77018

United States
Coordinates29°49′19″N 95°23′56″W / 29.821837°N 95.398854°W / 29.821837; -95.398854
Information
Established1893
PrincipalCarlos Phillips II
Staff52.33 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment760 (2018–19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio14.52[1]
Color(s)   
MascotGolden Eagle

Booker T. Washington High School (nicknamed "Booker T.") is a secondary school located in the Independence Heights community in Houston, Texas.[2] Washington serves grades 9 through 12, and is a part of the Houston Independent School District. The school has a neighborhood program that serves neighborhoods outside the 610 Loop and inside Beltway 8 in the northwest part of Houston, including the neighborhoods of Independence Heights, Highland Heights, and most of Acres Homes. The school was named after education pioneer Booker T. Washington.

The High School For Engineering Professions is located on the campus.

History

[edit]
Former campus

The school was established in 1893 in Houston's Fourth Ward as "Colored High." The first location for the school, 303 West Dallas, is considered to be within Downtown Houston as of 2007.[3] Originally it was the only secondary school for black people in the city;[4] at the time schools were segregated by race.

A 1923 Houston Informer article stated that the school building was in bad repair, calling it a "rat trap".[5]

In 1925 the school board stated that it would build a new black high school due to the increasing black population. The Houston Informer stated that the schools need to be named after prominent black people from the city and/or other successful black persons. The original colored high school was renamed after Booker T. Washington, a famous black educator who became the namesake of many black schools in the Southern United States.[4] The school was given its current name in 1928.[6] Washington was relieved by the construction and opening of Yates and Wheatley high schools in the 1920s.[7]

The school moved to its current location in Independence Heights in 1959.[8] Lockett Junior High School, which closed in June 1968, was established in the former Washington campus.[3] The school desegregated by 1970.

After Franklyn Wesley retired as principal in June 2007,[9] Houston ISD chose Mark Bedell, formerly an assistant principal at Worthing High School, as the principal.[10] Victor Keys, an assistant principal and an alumna of Washington, would remain as an assistant principal. Some alumni of Washington High School and members of the community around the school protested the decision to hire Bedell because they wished for the district to hire Keys instead of Bedell.[11][10] The current Washington principal is Carlos Phillips II.[12]

Wesley died September 11, 2007, at age 88. He served as the principal of the campus for more than 40 years, and worked as an educator for more than 65 years, spending all of but 10 of those years in HISD.[9]

In February 2012, because the school population was at a historic low of 823, several members of the Independence Heights community, led by Sylvester Turner, a Texas Legislature representative, advocated for reinvestment in the school. They advocated for making Washington competitive with Reagan High School and Waltrip High School.[2] The leaders argue that HISD had neglected the school.[13] Turner and Washington High School officials established a donation campaign. As of January 19, 2012, the campaign raised $135,000. Kroger donated $10,000 of the funds.[14]

Around 2012, each year 400 students from Booker T. Washington transferred to Reagan and Waltrip.[2]

By 2015, the district purchased several houses around the high school as part of its program to rebuild the high school.[15] After criminals began taking parts from the houses, residents argued that the way the houses were acquired could attract criminality.[16]

Using funds from the Houston ISD 2012 bond, the district constructed a new building for the school, which opened at the beginning of the 2018–2019 school year.[17][18]

Academics

[edit]

In 2011 the Texas Education Agency (TEA) gave the overall school an "unacceptable" rating. 51% of the school's 9th grade students passed the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills mathematics portion.[2]

In 2012 Houston Community College established an auto mechanic program at Booker T. Washington. The previous auto mechanic program closed around 1997. Before 2012 the auto shop had been filled with waste. The Houston Independent School District paid $300,000 to restore the auto shop.[2]

In 2012 Texas A&M University and Booker T. Washington partnered to give university scholarships to some engineering students.[2]

In 2019 the TEA gave the school an overall rating of 'C', with grades of 'D' and 'C' in Student Achievement and School Progress respectively.[19]

Campus

[edit]

Sylvester Turner advocated for the replacement of the gymnasium floors; they were replaced in the northern hemisphere fall of 2011. Turner said in February 2012 that the campus needed an overhaul greater than the $3.8 million that the district allotted to the school as a result of the previous bond election.[2]

Attendance zone

[edit]

One Houston Housing Authority (HHA) subsidized housing complex, Lincoln Park, is zoned to the school.[20][21]

Transportation

[edit]

Houston ISD provides school bus transportation to students who live more than two miles away from the school. Students zoned to the school and students who are enrolled in the magnet program are eligible for bus transportation.

The METRO city bus line also operates the 66 Yale bus line, which stops at the intersection of Yale Street and Cockerel Street.

Student body

[edit]

Washington had 1,520 students in 1995,[2] about 900 students in 2010,[22] and 823 students in February 2012, a historic low based on population statistics of the area.[2]

In the 2011–2012 school year, the magnet school, with a capacity of 400 students, had 226 students.[2]

School uniforms

[edit]

As of 2020 Washington has a school uniform policy.[23]

Washington requires its students to feel free in the environment as long as its appropriate.[citation needed]

The Texas Education Agency specified that the parents and/or guardians of students zoned to a school with school uniforms (the definition includes dress codes which limit colors) may apply for a waiver to opt out of the uniform policy so their children do not have to wear the uniform. However, parents must specify "bona fide" reasons, such as religious reasons or philosophical objections.[24]

Feeder patterns

[edit]

The following elementary schools feed into Washington High School:[21]

Most of M.C. Williams Middle School[33] and small parts of Black Middle School[34] and Alexander Hamilton Middle School[35] feed into Booker T. Washington.

Notable alumni

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Search for Public Schools - WASHINGTON B T H S (482364002605)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Radcliffe, Jennifer (February 2, 2012). "Effort to save historic Booker T. High gains steam". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "School Histories: the Stories Behind the Names". houstonisd.org. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Steptoe, Tyina Leaneice (2008). Dixie West: Race, Migration, and the Color Lines in Jim Crow Houston. p. 211. ISBN 9780549635871. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  5. ^ Andrews, Gregg (June 14, 2011). Thyra J. Edwards: Black Activist in the Global Freedom Struggle. University of Missouri Press. p. 20. ISBN 9780826219121. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "Booker T. Washington High School History". houstonisd.org. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  7. ^ Kellar, William Henry (1999). Make Haste Slowly: Moderates, Conservatives, and School Desegregation in Houston. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 1603447180. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "Booker T. Washington High School". TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKERS. Retrieved 2024-08-23.
  9. ^ a b Radcliffe, Jennifer (September 12, 2007). "Retired HISD principal Franklyn Wesley dies at 88". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  10. ^ a b Russell, Russell (August 3, 2007). "HISD under fire after naming new Booker T. Washington principal". Archived from the original on August 17, 2007. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
  11. ^ Nguyen, Chau (August 5, 2007). "HISD's pick for principal draws ire". Archived from the original on August 17, 2007.
  12. ^ "Welcome to Washington High School". houstonisd.org/washingtonhs. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  13. ^ "Community leaders fear historic high school in danger". KTRK-TV ABC Channel 13. November 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  14. ^ Howlin, Edel (January 18, 2012). "Oldest School Gets a Good Old Boost". Houston Public Media. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  15. ^ Schiller, Dane. "Neighborhood a battered ghost town waiting for new 'Booker T'." Houston Chronicle. January 22, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2015.
  16. ^ Schiller, Dane. "Abandoned houses leave ghost town for new Booker T." Houston Chronicle. January 23, 2015. Retrieved on January 25, 2015.
  17. ^ Furr, Laura (15 April 2016). "HISD breaks ground on latest school in $1.9B bond program, to double campus size". Houston Business Journal. American City Business Journals. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  18. ^ Keith, Damali (27 August 2018). "Booker T. Washington High School marks 125 years with new building". Fox 26 Houston. FOX Television Stations. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
  19. ^ "Texas Education Agency 2019 Accountability Ratings Overall Summary". Texas Education Agency. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  20. ^ "Lincoln Park". Houston Housing Authority. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "Washington High School Attendance Zone" (PDF). Houston Independent School District. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  22. ^ Radcliffe, Jennifer (September 3, 2010). "Power failure closes Booker T. Washington High School". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  23. ^ "HISD 2019–2020 School Year; School Uniforms" (PDF). houstonisd.org. p. 10. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  24. ^ "Texas Education Code, Sec. 11.162, School Uniforms". texas.public.law. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  25. ^ "Burrus Elementary Attendance Zone Archived 2008-02-29 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  26. ^ "Hohl Elementary Attendance Zone Archived February 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  27. ^ "Kennedy Elementary Attendance Zone Archived February 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  28. ^ "Wesley Elementary Attendance Zone Archived February 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  29. ^ "Garden Oaks Elementary Attendance Zone Archived 2009-02-27 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  30. ^ "Highland Heights Elementary Attendance Zone Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  31. ^ "Osborne Elementary Attendance Zone Archived 2008-10-29 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  32. ^ "Roosevelt Elementary Attendance Zone Archived February 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  33. ^ "Williams Middle Attendance Zone Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  34. ^ "Black Middle Attendance Zone." Houston Independent School District.
  35. ^ "Hamilton Middle Attendance Zone Archived 2008-05-30 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  36. ^ Pruitt, Bernadette (August 15, 2013). "Countee, Samuel Albert". Texas State Historical Association (TSHA).
  37. ^ Vance, Lloyd (April 1, 2007). "Remembering Eldridge Dickey: A Pioneer Before His Time". BQB_site.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  38. ^ "Nate Hawkins NFL Football Statistics". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  39. ^ Signora, Michael (November 18, 1995). "Wolverine senior flanker Hayes spices up Michigan's potent aerial assault". Collegian Inc. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  40. ^ "Distinguished HISD Alumni". houstonisd.org. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  41. ^ Mellon, Ericka (December 29, 2013). "After 50 years at HISD, Marshall leaves complicated legacy". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  42. ^ Young, Matt (April 29, 2022). "The 66 NFL Draft first-round picks who grew up in Houston". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
[edit]
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