Print ArticleIn celebration of Black History Month, here's a few things you probably didn't know about Jacksonville.
7. The First Black School in Jax Remains one of the Nation's best
Today, Stanton College Preparatory School is a nationally known academically renowned public high school in Jacksonville's urban core. According to USNews.com, "the Stanton College Preparatory School challenges students to excel via a rigorous curriculum made up of honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses." In 2013, it ranked as 5th best public school in the country according to TheBestSchools.org.
Stanton High School photograph courtesy of Void Live.
Historically speaking, Stanton is actually the oldest continually operating high school in Florida. Its history dates back to 1868 when it was established as an elementary school to serve African-Americans during segregation. Named after Edwin McMasters Stanton, President Abraham Lincoln's second Secretary of War, the original campus was located in downtown at the intersection of Jefferson and Ashley Streets. Stanton was destroyed by fire in 1882 and 1901, before being replaced with a larger brick structure that still stands today. In 1953, the high school was relocated to its current location on West 13th Street near Mrytle Avenue in Durkeeville. In 1981, Stanton became Duval County's first magnet school.
The old Stanton High School building in LaVilla.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
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