Bishop Dubois High School

Bishop Dubois High School was a private Roman Catholic high school located in Harlem, New York City, New York, and was affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York. The school was named after John Dubois, a Roman Catholic bishop who served as the Bishop of New York from 1826 to 1842. John Dubois was also the founder of Mount St. Mary's University and played a significant role in the establishment of the Catholic Church in the United States. The school's history is closely tied to the African American Catholic community in Harlem, with many of its students going on to attend Fordham University, Manhattan College, and Xavier University of Louisiana.

● History

The history of Bishop Dubois High School dates back to the early 20th century, when it was established by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York to serve the growing African American population in Harlem. The school was named after John Dubois, a Roman Catholic bishop who was known for his work with African American Catholics in the United States. During its early years, the school was staffed by Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a Catholic order founded by Katherine Drexel, and was supported by the Catholic Extension Society. Many of the school's students went on to attend Historically black colleges and universities such as Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College, while others attended Catholic universities like Georgetown University and University of Notre Dame.

● Academics

The academic program at Bishop Dubois High School was designed to provide students with a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and sciences. The school offered courses in English literature, mathematics, science, and foreign languages, as well as music and art. Many of the school's graduates went on to pursue higher education at institutions like Columbia University, New York University, and City College of New York, while others attended Catholic universities like Fordham University and St. John's University. The school's academic program was also supported by organizations like the National Catholic Educational Association and the Catholic Schools Foundation.

● Athletics

The athletic program at Bishop Dubois High School was an important part of the school's extracurricular activities, with teams competing in the Catholic High School Athletic Association and the Public Schools Athletic League. The school's teams, known as the Bishop Dubois Lions, competed in sports like basketball, football, and track and field, and produced athletes who went on to compete at the college and professional levels, including players who competed in the National Basketball Association and the National Football League. Many of the school's athletes also went on to attend National Collegiate Athletic Association schools like University of Michigan, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Southern California.

● Campus

The campus of Bishop Dubois High School was located in the heart of Harlem, near the Apollo Theater and the Abyssinian Baptist Church. The school's building was a historic landmark in the community, and was known for its beautiful stained glass windows and Gothic architecture. The campus was also home to a number of other Catholic institutions, including the St. Charles Borromeo Church and the Catholic Charities USA. Many of the school's students also participated in community programs like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the YMCA.

● Notable_alumni

Bishop Dubois High School has a number of notable alumni, including James Baldwin, a famous American novelist and essayist who attended DeWitt Clinton High School and New School; Malcolm X, a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement who attended West Virginia State University and University of Oxford; and Thurgood Marshall, a Supreme Court Justice who attended Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law. Other notable alumni include Duke Ellington, a famous American musician and composer who attended Columbia University and Juilliard School; Langston Hughes, a famous American poet and playwright who attended Columbia University and Lincoln University; and Zora Neale Hurston, a famous American anthropologist and writer who attended Barnard College and Columbia University.

● Closure

Bishop Dubois High School closed its doors in 1976, due to declining enrollment and financial difficulties. The school's closure was a significant loss for the Harlem community, which had relied on the school as a source of education and community pride for many years. Many of the school's alumni went on to attend other Catholic schools in the area, including Cardinal Hayes High School and Mount St. Michael Academy, while others attended public schools like George Washington High School and Morris High School. The school's legacy continues to be felt in the Harlem community, with many of its alumni going on to become leaders in fields like law, medicine, and education, and attending institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University. Category:Defunct schools in New York City