Little Rock Central High School

Little Rock Central High School
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Name	Little Rock Central High School
City	Little Rock
State	Arkansas
Country	United States

Little Rock Central High School is a public magnet school in Little Rock, Arkansas, known for its significant role in the Civil Rights Movement during the Desegregation of Little Rock Central High School. The school was established in 1905 and has since become a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Site. It is part of the Little Rock School District and has been recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the United States Department of Education. The school's history is closely tied to notable figures such as Daisy Bates, Orval Faubus, and Melba Pattillo Beals.

● History

The school's history began in 1905, when it was founded as Little Rock High School. Over the years, it has undergone several transformations, including a major renovation in the 1950s, which was overseen by Architectural firms such as Wittenberg, Delony and Davidson. The school's history is also closely tied to the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students who attended the school in 1957, including Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, and Ernest Green. The school's history has been recognized by organizations such as the National Park Service and the United States Department of the Interior. Notable events in the school's history include the Little Rock Campaign and the Desegregation of Central High, which was supported by President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the National Guard. The school has also been visited by notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Rosa Parks.

● Architecture

The school's architecture is a mix of Art Deco and Neoclassical styles, with a large clock tower and a grand entrance hall. The building was designed by Architects such as John Parks Almand and George Wittenberg, and features a unique blend of stone and brick façades. The school's design has been recognized by organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The school's architecture is also notable for its historic preservation efforts, which have been supported by organizations such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the Little Rock Historic District Commission. Notable architectural features of the school include its auditorium, which was designed by Robinson Auditorium and features a pipe organ built by the Möller Pipe Organ Company.

● Desegregation

The desegregation of the school was a major event in the Civil Rights Movement, with the Little Rock Nine attending the school in 1957. The desegregation was supported by organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union, and was opposed by Governor Orval Faubus and the Little Rock School Board. The desegregation was ultimately successful, with the school becoming a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement and a National Historic Landmark. Notable figures involved in the desegregation include Daisy Bates, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thurgood Marshall, who argued the case of Brown v. Board of Education before the United States Supreme Court. The desegregation of the school was also supported by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who deployed the 101st Airborne Division to enforce the desegregation.

● Academics

The school offers a range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses and International Baccalaureate programs. The school is also known for its strong programs in mathematics and science, with students participating in competitions such as the Science Olympiad and the Mathematics Olympiad. The school's academic programs have been recognized by organizations such as the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the United States Department of Education. Notable academic programs at the school include the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts and the National Merit Scholarship Program. The school has also been recognized for its special education programs, which are supported by organizations such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Office of Special Education Programs.

● Extracurricular Activities

The school offers a range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams such as the Little Rock Central High School Tigers and clubs such as the Debate Team and the Robotics Club. The school's extracurricular activities have been recognized by organizations such as the National Federation of State High School Associations and the Arkansas Activities Association. Notable extracurricular activities at the school include the Marching Band, which has performed at events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade. The school has also been recognized for its community service programs, which are supported by organizations such as the National Honor Society and the Key Club.

● Notable Alumni

The school has a number of notable alumni, including Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, and Ernest Green, who were part of the Little Rock Nine. Other notable alumni include Bill Clinton, who attended the school in the 1960s, and Mike Huckabee, who graduated from the school in 1973. The school's alumni have gone on to attend colleges and universities such as Harvard University, Yale University, and the University of Arkansas. Notable alumni have also been recognized for their achievements in fields such as politics, law, and medicine, with awards such as the Pulitzer Prize and the National Medal of Science. The school's alumni association is supported by organizations such as the Little Rock Central High School Alumni Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.