Booker T. Washington Magnet High School

Booker T. Washington Magnet High School (BTW) is a magnet high school in Montgomery, Alabama.

Booker T. Washington Magnet High School
BTW
Location
3315 Hayneville Road, Montgomery, AL 36108-3902

United States
Information
Former nameCarver Creative and Performing Arts Center
MottoOptima in Omnia
(Excellence in all Things)
Established1982
School districtMontgomery County
PrincipalQuesha Starks
Faculty27[1]
GradesHigh school (9-12)
Enrollment406 (2018-2019)[2]
Color(s)Blue and Gold
TeamsYellow Jackets
Websitehttp://www.btw.mps-al.org/

History

Carver Creative and Performing Arts Center (CCPAC) was the first magnet school in the Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) school district. CCPAC, originally housed at George Washington Carver High School, was developed in 1982 to accommodate the growing need for specialized arts instruction for students.[3] CCPAC began as a day program where students were bused from home schools to the Carver High School campus for magnet classes. As the program expanded and enrollment grew there became a need to find a new location.

In 1994, MPS received a $7,000,000 federal grant to fund several magnet schools including Carver Creative and Performing Arts Center. A former shopping mall, Normandale Shopping Center, was selected as the future location for CCPAC. In 1995, a tornado destroyed the Normandale Shopping Center.[4] CCPAC began to operate out of four locations while searching for a new home. In 1996, CCPAC to become a designated magnet school housed on the campus of the old Booker T. Washington School at which time the name of the arts magnet changed to Booker T. Washington Magnet High School.

Admission

Acceptance into BTW is based on successfully completing an audition/interview in addition to meeting GPA and conduct requirements.


Buildings

George Washington Carver High School (1983-1996)
In 1983, the arts magnet was housed at George Washington Carver High School under the name Carver Creative and Performing Arts Center (CCPAC).

First Baptist Church (1995-1996)
For a short time CCPAC operated out of four locations including First Baptist Church (South Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama).

Montgomery Public Schools Professional Services Building (1995-1996)
For a short time CCPAC operated out of four locations including a Montgomery Public Schools Professional Services Building.

Booker T. Washington High School (1995-1996)
For a short time CCPAC operated out of four locations including Booker T. Washington High School (Montgomery, Alabama).

History

Booker T. Washington High School began in early 1865 as a primary school for African Americans. In 1916 an additional building was erected at Union and Grove Streets.

In 1937, plans were made to open a senior high. A thirty-room unit was constructed after several of the original structures were demolished in 1948. A 123-foot underground tunnel was developed to connect each side of the campus. The adjoining auditorium-gymnasium was constructed in 1954.

In 1956, Booker T. Washington became a high school.

Booker T. Washington Magnet High School (1996-2018)
In 1996, a federal grant enabled the school to become a designated magnet school housed on the campus of the old Booker T. Washington School; at this time the arts magnet assumed the name Booker T. Washington Magnet High School.

In 2018, a fire destroyed a few of the buildings on campus.[5]

Hayneville Road Elementary School (2018–present)
Since 2018, BTW has been housed in Hayneville Road Elementary School.[6]

Awards and recognition
  • #3 in Montgomery, AL Metro High Schools, #28 in Alabama High Schools, and #245 in Magnet High Schools in National Rankings by U.S. News & World Report[7]
  • #19 on the list os 30 best public high schools in Alabama for 2019 by AL.com[8]
  • #25 on the list of 2020 Best Public High Schools in Alabama by Niche[9]
  • Grade A from the Alabama Department of Education Report Card[10]
  • Gold Medal, A+ College Ready Schools by U.S. News & World Report[11]
  • Your Start In The Arts High School Drama Grant Winner from the New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts[12]

Notable alumni
  • Albert Allenback, musician and member of Tank and the Bangas
  • Foster Dickson, writer
  • Jessica Grant, actor
  • Glenn Howerton, actor
  • Chintia Kirana, artist
  • Andy Mills, actor
  • Chika, rapper
  • Kimi Samson, musician
  • Wendy (White) Sasser, dancer
  • Robert Shimp, record engineer and producer
  • Daniel Sparkman, press secretary for the Governor of Alabama
  • Johnny Veres, musician and member of Electric Blue Yonder

Notable staff

Zestian Simmons, AP Language and Composition - NMSI Teacher of the Year 2012–2013 in English[13]

References
  1. "Booker T. Washington Magnet High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
  2. "Booker T. Washington Magnet High School". National Center for Education Statistics.
  3. "About Our School". Carver High.
  4. "The dead and struggling malls of Montgomery". AL.com. February 21, 2019.
  5. "Fire consumes building at Montgomery's Booker T. Washington High School". AL.com. August 18, 2018.
  6. "BTW students resume class at Old Hayneville Road school". WSFA. August 27, 2018.
  7. "Booker T Washington Magnet High School". U.S. News & World Report.
  8. "30 best public high schools in Alabama for 2019". AL.com. February 5, 2019.
  9. "2020 Best Public High Schools in Alabama". Niche.
  10. "Statewide school report card gives MPS a D grade". Montgomery Advertiser. February 1, 2018.
  11. "2 Elmore County schools among state's top 30". Montgomery Advertiser. May 4, 2014.
  12. "New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts Awards 'Your Start In The Arts' High School Drama Grant". Broadway World.
  13. "National Math and Science Initiative Announces First 'NMSI School of the Year' and Awards for Eight Outstanding Teachers". prnewswire.com. PR Newswire.
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