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SERVING THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS OF ARLINGTON, BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SCHOOL WAS A VITAL INSTITUTION IN THE CITY. IT HAD ITS ROOTS IN ARLINGTON’S FIRST BLACK SCHOOL, WHICH WAS IN PLACE BY THE 1890s. THE SCHOOL SERVED THE GROWING AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY KNOWN AS THE HILL, LOCATED NORTHWEST OF THE ORIGINAL TOWN BOUNDARIES. THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST FURNISHED ADDITIONAL CLASS SPACE AS NEEDED. IN 1902, THE SCHOOL BECAME PART OF THE NEWLY FORMED ARLINGTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. GEORGE STEVENS AND GLORIA ECHOLS WERE APPOINTED AS TEACHERS, WITH STEVENS ALSO SERVING AS PRINCIPAL; BOTH LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND ARE NOTED FOR THEIR IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF THEIR YOUNG STUDENTS. THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL BUILDING WAS REPLACED AFTER A SEVERE 1903 STORM. STUDENTS ATTENDED THE SCHOOL UNTIL EIGHTH GRADE, AT WHICH POINT THEY WENT TO I.M. TERRELL HIGH SCHOOL IN FORT WORTH. A NEW FACILITY OPENED AT 500 HOUSTON STREET IN 1954, OFFICIALLY NAMED FOR EDUCATOR BOOKER T. WASHINGTON. THE BUILDING HAD EIGHT CLASSROOMS, AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, AND A CAFETERIA; A GYMNASIUM WAS ADDED LATER. GEORGE STEVENS CONTINUED TO SERVE AS PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTION. IN 1965, ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEGAN FULL DESEGREGATION. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SCHOOL CLOSED AND BECAME VEDA KNOX SCHOOL, A FACILITY FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS. IT WAS LATER RENAMED THE METRO MATH AND SCIENCE ACADEMY. TODAY, BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SCHOOL IS REMEMBERED AS AN ICONIC INSTITUTION IN THE HILL, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH SKILLS AND EDUCATION THAT WOULD HELP THEM ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES. |
