Allen Carver High School Explained

Allen Carver High School
Location:17 Oak Grove Road
City:Charleston
State:Mississippi
Country:United States
Type:Public
Mottoes:-->
Former Name:Tallahatchie Agricultural High School
Tallahatchie Agricultural Training High School
Founders:-->
Authority:-->
Category Label:to override the default label -->
Oversight Label:to override the default label -->
Specialists:-->
Head Name:to override the default label -->
Nursery Years Taught:,
Primary Years Taught:,
Secondary Years Taught:for additional information -->
Gender Label:to override the default label -->
Lower Age:and
Upper Age:-->
Age Range:-->
Age Range:-->
Enrolment:-->
Enrolment As Of:-->
Student Union Label:to override the default label -->
Colours:-->
School Colours:-->
Teams Label:to override the default label -->
Rivals:-->
Accreditations:-->
Affiliations:-->

Allen Carver High School was a public secondary school in Charleston, Mississippi, United States. It served as the high school for black students until the public schools were integrated in 1971.

History

Tallahatchie Agricultural High School was opened in 1917 for the purpose of educating the negro students of East Tallahatchie County. The interior of the buildings was plastered and finished with red gum, and each room had steam heat, electric lights, and running water. Boarding at the school was provided at cost, with a maximum of $8.00 per month. In addition, students paid the cost of books and a $5.00 matriculation fee. During the depression the school was closed due to lack of funds.[1]

In 1970, the federal courts mandated integration of the schools. The school district of East Tallahatchie County attempted to satisfy this requirement by busing entire classes of white children, along with their teachers, from East Tallahatchie to Allen Carver, while transporting a similar number of black students from Allen Carver to Tallahatchie. This allowed the district to maintain completely segregated classrooms but claim that integration had been achieved.[2] Black students protested, so the Tallahatchie County sheriff arrested 125 black students On October 19. The students were incarcerated at the state penitentiary at Parchman, but on October 21, most were released. A Federal judge ordered the school board to meet with the students. While a meeting took place, the school board refused to act on the students grievances, and ridiculed the student representatives. The Community Relations Service (CRS) met with both parties, and in November reached an agreement which allowed the 125 students to return to school, new elections for student council, cheerleaders, and the school's mascot were held. In addition, the classrooms and cafeteria were integrated.[3] [4] The next year high school students attended East Tallahatchie High School and the Allen Carver buildings became Charleston Middle School.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TALLAHATCHIE COUNTY MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL HISTORY FEBRUARY 7, 1849 TO FEBRUARY 24, 1937 . 13 January 2019.
  2. Book: Bolton . Charles C . . 1980 . University Press of Mississippi. 186.
  3. Web site: Community Relations Service . Activities Relating to the Desegregation of Public Schools: Charleston, Mississippi . 13 January 2019 . 19–20 . 1970–1971.
  4. Web site: Keglar v. East Tallahatchie School District, 378 F. Supp. 1269 (N.D. Miss. 1974) . 13 January 2019.