Booker T. Washington High School (Virginia)

Booker T. Washington High School, also known as Booker T or BTW, is a public high school located in Norfolk, Virginia. It is administered by Norfolk Public Schools system. The school colors are maroon, white and gold. The school is called “The Mighty Booker T” and the “Fighting Bookers" in Norfolk, Virginia.

Booker T. Washington High School
Address
1111 Park Avenue

Norfolk
,
Virginia
23504

United States
Information
School typePublic, high school
Founded1911
School districtNorfolk City Public Schools
SuperintendentMelinda J. Boone
PrincipalMargarietta Stallings
Staff84.44 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment927 (2017–18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio10.98[1]
LanguageEnglish
CampusCity
Color(s)Maroon, white and gold      
Athletics conferenceVirginia High School League
AAA Eastern Region
Eastern District
MascotThe Fighting Bookers or The Mighty Bookers
RivalI.C. Norcom High School and Lake Taylor High School
Websitewww.npsk12.com/btw

History

Booker T. Washington High School was named in honor of Booker T. Washington who was an African-American educator, author, orator, and adviser to presidents of the United States. In April 1911, when the Norfolk School Board agreed to allow one year of high school at the site of John T. West Elementary School. For each of the next three years, a grade was added culminating in the State Board of Educations approval. Thus Washington became Virginia first accredited public high school for African-Americans.[2]

In 1915 the high school was moved to Princess Anne Road, where Norfolk Mission College had been located and adopted the name Booker T. Washington High School.[3][4] In 1917, Booker T. Washington High School became Virginia’s first accredited public high school for African Americans. A new building opened on Virginia Beach Boulevard in 1924. There were 1,750 students in grades 7–12. There were 63 teachers. The school became known as The Mighty Booker T, and the athletic teams were nicknamed The Fighting Bookers.[5]

In 1974, the school moved into a new facility, which was built for $8 million. The school marching band Marching Bookers was the first African-American band to perform in a presidential inauguration parade, when they performed for President Harry Truman in 1949. The band also performed in both of President Eisenhower's inauguration parades.[6] They also performed in the 2014 Virginia governor inauguration parade.[7][8]

Alma mater

Composed by: Phyllis Hoggard and Wanza Sulton Class of 1960

Oh dear, old Booker T,
Our love for thee will never die.
We’ll love these halls, adore these walls,
As all the years go by.
We’ll always sing your praises.
And of your glories tell.
Then, when we leave, forget you never.
Booker T. forever.

We’re striving hard to reach,
The goal that you prepared us for.
We’ll always meet the challenge;
For knowledge we implore
Booker T., our Alma Mater,
Dear ole Booker T.,
In heart and mind, our fondest love
Shall yours forever be.

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Booker T. Washington High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  2. Kennedy, Dan (February 18, 2019). "Norfolk's Booker T. Washington High School rich in black history". Norfolk, Virginia: 13NewsNow. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  3. Katz, William Loren, ed. (1969). The Negro in Virginia: His History and Literature. New York: Arno Press and the New York Times. p. 270. OCLC 1150805420 – via Internet Archive.
  4. "History of Blyden Branch". Norfolk Public Library. Retrieved 2020-06-20.
  5. "A History of Booker T. Washington High School".
  6. "Inaugural Parade" (PDF). January 20, 1953. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  7. "Norfolk City Council". October 14, 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  8. https://www.wtvr.com/2014/01/01/complete-list-of-inaugural-parade-participants

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