Eva L. Thomas High School

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Eva L. Thomas High School was a high school for African Americans in College Park, Georgia established in 1964, and closed in 1969. [1] [2] [3] [4] It was named after Atlanta Public Schools educator Eva Louise Thomas, who died less than a year before the school opened. [1]

In 1969, the local Board of Education decided to close the school after pressure from the federal government to desegregate, which was met with protests by students and parents. [1] [5] [6] [7] Students moved to schools nearby for the 1970 school year, including the previously all-white College Park High School. [1] The site was repurposed as a middle school until 1980, and currently houses the College Park Elementary School. [1]

The school's basketball team, the Bearcats, won a state championship in 1969. [8] Donald Dollar was the coach. [9] The team competed in the Georgia Interscholastic Association.

A report was published on identifying students with special needs at the school in 1965. [10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Eva Thomas High School: 1964-1980" (PDF). Fulton County Schools. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  2. ↑ Staff (March 5, 2009). "College Park unveils rare black history exhibit". Clayton News. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  3. ↑ "All-Negro School Called Victory for Desegregation". The Columbus Ledger . September 14, 1969. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Bowler, Mike (August 19, 1969). "Thomas School Won't Be Unused". The Atlanta Constitution . p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Eva L. Thomas High School is Open". Digital Library of Georgia.
  6. ↑ "Negro Students Protest Atlanta School Closing". The Fresno Bee . United Press International. August 30, 1969. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ ""Idea to Close Eva Thomas High Didn't Come from HEW Office, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 24 August 1969 · Fulton County Schools Archives Digital Collections". Fulton County Schools Archives Digital Collections. August 24, 1969. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  8. ↑ "City of College Park honors championship basketball team 51 years later". www.11alive.com. February 11, 2020.
  9. ↑ "State Tournaments: 1969 B Boys". www.ghsbp.com.
  10. ↑ "Identifying students with special needs at Eva L. Thomas High School College Park, Georgia, 1965 | Atlanta University Center".

33°39′20″N84°27′23″W / 33.65556°N 84.45639°W / 33.65556; -84.45639


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