Decatur High School

Decatur High School is a public high school located in Decatur, Georgia, serving students in DeKalb County, Georgia. The school is part of the Decatur City Schools system and has a diverse student body from Atlanta, Stone Mountain, and surrounding areas. Decatur High School has a strong focus on STEM education, with partnerships with organizations like Georgia Tech and Emory University. The school also has a rich history, with notable alumni including Martin Luther King Jr., who attended Morehouse College and later became a prominent leader in the American Civil Rights Movement.

● History

Decatur High School has a long history dating back to the early 20th century, with roots in the Decatur Female College and the Agnes Scott College for women. The school has undergone several transformations, including a merger with the Decatur Boys' High School in the 1930s. During the Civil Rights Movement, Decatur High School played a significant role, with students participating in events like the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery marches. Notable figures like Ralph Abernathy, a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr., and Andrew Young, a leader in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, have ties to the school. The school has also been influenced by nearby institutions like Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Georgia State University.

● Campus

The Decatur High School campus is located in the heart of Decatur, Georgia, near the Decatur Square and the Old Courthouse on the Square. The school's facilities include a state-of-the-art performing arts center, a gymnasium, and a stadium for athletic events. The campus is also home to the Decatur High School Museum, which showcases the school's history and notable alumni, including Maynard Jackson, the first African American mayor of Atlanta. The school's architecture is a mix of modern and historic buildings, with influences from nearby institutions like Oglethorpe University and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

● Academics

Decatur High School offers a range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate programs, and vocational training in fields like engineering and health sciences. The school has partnerships with organizations like Microsoft, Google, and Cisco Systems, providing students with opportunities for internships and job shadowing. Decatur High School is also known for its strong programs in the arts, with students participating in events like the Georgia Music Educators Association conference and the National Art Education Association exhibition. Notable educators like Ernest Boyer, former president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, have ties to the school.

● Athletics

Decatur High School has a strong athletic program, with teams competing in the Georgia High School Association and the DeKalb County Athletic Association. The school's teams, known as the Bulldogs, have won championships in sports like football, basketball, and track and field. Notable athletes like Hank Aaron, a legendary baseball player, and Evander Holyfield, a former boxing champion, have ties to the school. Decatur High School has also produced athletes who have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, including University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Emory University.

● Notable_alumni

Decatur High School has a long list of notable alumni, including Martin Luther King Jr., Maynard Jackson, and Andrew Young. Other notable alumni include Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, and Rosalynn Carter, a former First Lady of the United States. The school has also produced notable figures in the arts, like Chris Robinson, lead singer of the Black Crowes, and Emily Saliers, a member of the Indigo Girls. Decatur High School alumni have gone on to attend prestigious institutions like Harvard University, Yale University, and Stanford University, and have made significant contributions to fields like medicine, law, and politics.