John Marshall High School (Richmond, Virginia)
John Marshall High School, known colloquially as Jayem, is a secondary public school located in Richmond, Virginia, part of the Richmond Public Schools, serving grades 9–12.
| John Marshall High School | |
|---|---|
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| Address | |
 | |
4225 Old Brook Road , 23227 United States | |
| Coordinates | 37°35′39.16″N 77°26′47.04″W / 37.5942111°N 77.4464000°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public high school |
| Founded | 1909[1] |
| School district | Richmond Public Schools |
| Superintendent | Jason Kamras |
| Principal | Monica Murray |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 542 (2023–2024)[2] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 14:1[2] |
| Language | English |
| Campus | Urban |
| Color(s) | Blue and white |
| Mascot | Justices |
| Website | https://jmhs.rvaschools.net |
History edit
Named after Founding Father John Marshall, who also served as the fourth chief justice of the United States, the school originally opened in 1909, serving an all-white student body. The original school sat at the intersection of Eighth Street and Marshall Street, and was Richmond's first public high school when it opened. It was located behind the historic John Marshall House.[1][3]
In late 1959, ground was broken for a replacement high school on the grounds of the old Pine Camp Tuberculosis Hospital.[4][5] Several names were considered by the school board, which chose to re-use the John Marshall name.[6][7] Following the 1959-60 school year, the original building was closed, with the new facility welcoming students in the fall of 1960. The original building was demolished in 1961, in spite of protests by students. Today, the John Marshall Courthouse complex is located at the site of the old school.[1]
Desegregation arrived at John Marshall in 1961 when three Black students were admitted.[8][9] Integration quickly followed, to the point where by 1968 the Black student population exceeded that of white students.[10]
Demographics edit
As of the 2022-23 school year, John Marshall's student body is 84.3% Black, with 88.7% minority enrollment. Ninety-nine percent of students were economically disadvantaged and on the free-lunch program.[2]
Student performance edit
As of the 2022-23 school year, 32% of John Marshall students had taken at least one AP test, and the graduation rate was 94%. Proficiency in mathematics was at 35%, while reading and science were at 76% and 40%, respectively.[2]
Notable alumni edit
- Carroll Alley – physicist
- T. Coleman Andrews – candidate for President of the United States in 1956
- Milton Bell – former professional basketball player
- June Carter Cash – Grammy award-winning country singer and songwriter; second wife of Johnny Cash
- Clifford Dowdey – writer
- Frances Farmer – law librarian and professor
- Fred Gantt – former professional basketball player
- Evelyn Byrd Harrison – classical scholar and archaeologist
- Frances Helm – stage, film, and television actress
- Kay Coles James – public official
- Arrington Jones – former NFL running back, San Francisco 49ers
- Charlotte Kohler – literary magazine editor and university professor
- John La Touche - lyricist
- Frank McCarthy – distinguished film producer, whose production Patton won the 1970 Academy Award for Best Picture
- Robert H. Patterson Jr. – lawyer
- Theresa Pollak – artist and art educator
- Bobby Phillips – former NFL running back, Minnesota Vikings
- Mel Roach – former Major League Baseball player
- Hansford Rowe – film, stage and television actor
- Ed Sherod – former professional basketball player
- Corey Smith – former NFL defensive end
- Charles L. Southward – United States Army major general
- Lewis Strauss – government official, businessman, philanthropist and naval officer; nemesis of J. Robert Oppenheimer
- Isaiah Todd – professional basketball player, NBA G League
- Emmett Watson – illustrator whose works appeared in popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post
References edit
- ^ a b c McNeill, Brian (8 June 2020). "VCU English student, a teacher at Richmond's John Marshall High School, digs into the school's past". VCU News. Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "John Marshall High School". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Kastner, Lindsay (Jul 12, 2006). "Graduates honor a city high school's past". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- ^ "Bids Due June 12 on 2 Schools". Richmond News Leader. May 11, 1959.
One will be constructed on Midlothian Turnpike and Westover Hills blvd, the first high school for South Richmond. The other will be built on the northern extremity of the city on Pine Camp Hospital property.
- ^ "Real Estate Moves Made By Council". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Apr 12, 1960.
Thirty acres of Pine Camp land will be used for the new John Marshall High School under construction.
- ^ "Advisor on Teachers' Pay To Be Named This Afternoon". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Sep 25, 1959.
Willet said four names have been suggested. They are John Marshall High School, George Wythe High School, James C. Harwood High School, and John S. Mosby High School.
- ^ "Committee Named To Study Salaries Of City Teachers". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Sep 26, 1959.
The board also approved the name of John Marshall High School for the building now under construction on the North Side. The one on the South Side will be named George Wythe High School.
- ^ Baker, James (Sep 2, 1961). "Area Schools Set to Open: Token Integration in City". Richmond News Leader.
Desegregation is scheduled for the first time at John Marshall High School, where three Negroes are enrolled.
- ^ "Color Barrier Broken: Negro Girl Says Day Went 'Nicely' at JM". Richmond News Leader. Sep 6, 1961.
A Negro girl who was among the first of her race to break the color barrier at John Marshall High School says the most difficult part of her day was "finding my way around."
- ^ "Resegregation Data Of North Side Ready". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Nov 20, 1968.
John Marshall High School for the first time this fall enrolled more Negroes than whites. There were 785 Negroes and 712 whites there.