Benjamin Russell High School

Last updated
Benjamin Russell High School
Location
Benjamin Russell High School
225 Heard Boulevard

Alexander City, Alabama
35010
Coordinates 32°56′16″N85°57′03″W / 32.9378°N 85.9508°W / 32.9378; -85.9508
Information
School typePublic
Established1950
School district Alexander City Schools
NCES District ID0100030
SuperintendentJose Reyes Jr.
NCES School ID010003000003
PrincipalShannon Benefield
Teaching staff51
Grades9-12
Enrollment843 (2023-2024)
Student to teacher ratio16.53
ColorsRed, White, Blue
MascotWildcat
Website https://brhs.alexcityschools.net/

Benjamin Russell High School is in Alexander City, Alabama. It is part of Alexander City Schools. It is at 225 Heard Boulevard. In 2025, a new high school building was under construction. [1] The school is named for an entrepreneur whose businesses include Russell Athletic. [2]

Contents

In 2025 it had 813 students in grades 9 to 12. It had 16 sports teams and 19 clubs. [3] Wildcats are the school's mascot. [4]

The student body is about 40 percent white and black and 11 percent hispanic. [5]

History

The school was first established in 1950. [6] In 1960, a $285,000 auditorium was built as part of a $100 million school construction bond issue. [7] Black students attended Laurel High School in it merged with Russell in 1971. [8]

In 1971, the school received national attention after students created an informal business called "spook insurance." Homeowners would pay the students a fee of $1.00 for free cleanup services if their houses were vandalized on Halloween. [9] The school was racially integrated following the merger of two other high schools that same year. [6]

Athletics

Kirk Johnson is the football team's coach since 2025. [10] Danny Horn coached the team from 2009 to 2018 before moving on to Clay County High School where he won six state championships. [11] Steve Savareae also coached the team. [12]

Alumni

References

  1. ↑ Ellis, Emma (June 6, 2025). "Alex City Schools superintendent gives update on new high school construction". www.wsfa.com.
  2. ↑ https://abhof.culverhouse.ua.edu/member/benjamin-russell/
  3. ↑ "About - Benjamin Russell High School". brhs.alexcityschools.net.
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Randy (November 29, 2025). "Saraland beats Benjamin Russell, advances to 4th straight title game". al.
  5. ↑ https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/alabama/districts/alexander-city/benjamin-russell-high-school-16
  6. 1 2 Walls, Peggy (19 July 2021). Lost Towns of Central Alabama. History Press. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "Auditorium Set For High School At Alex City". The Columbus Ledger. 1960-11-26. p. 5. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  8. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=6Vs3EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA126&dq=laurel+high+school+alexander+city+alabama&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjB6sbw_6-RAxV0TDABHWJPBDkQ6AF6BAgNEAM
  9. ↑ "Spook Insurance Rates High As 'Dimes' Aid". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 1971-10-27. p. 9. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  10. ↑ Gayle, Tim (January 27, 2025). "Catholic's Kirk Johnson takes coaching job at Benjamin Russell". Montgomery Independent.
  11. ↑ "AHSAA News | Central, Clay County set to face Benjamin Russell in Classic Battle at Alexander City". www.ahsaa.com.
  12. ↑ https://www.ahsfhs.org/coaches/coachestop.asp?Coach=Steve%20Savarese
  13. ↑ https://alabamanewscenter.com/2019/03/08/football-taken-willie-carl-martin-alabama-around-world/
  14. ↑ https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2019/08/alexander-city-names-stadium-for-2-iconic-hs-football-coaches.html
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b9ee04
  16. ↑ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WhatJi20.htm
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