Baltimore's colored school system thrived, even in the face of Jim Crow and segregation. They produced great students who were products of the outstanding staff and administrators within the various schools. They also produced great students newspapers which provided a glimpse into the kind of education that took place before schools were integrated.
Below are 3 examples of school newspapers from William M. Alexander Elementary School #112; Booker T. Washington Junior High School #130; and Frederick Douglass High School #450.
The March 1952 edition of the William Alexander Times,
William M. Alexander School #112, Laurens and Calhoun Street:
"Two-Part Singing: Miss Quarles' 1A class has been learning Negro spirituals. They have been working on two part singing. They have learned 'Steal Away', 'Certainly Lord' and "I'm a-Rolling."
"Compiles Scrapbook: Mrs. Oliver's 4A class made a study of the lives of famous Negroes. They have compiled this information in a scrapbook."
January 1947 Booker T. Bulletin,
Booker T. Washington Junior High School, McCulloh Street & Lafayette Avenue
W. Cato Anderson, vice principal, wrote an article entitled, "Retrospect and Prospect" in which he summarizes the growth of the school in these words:
"As we have reached another milestone in our march of progress, let us take a backward glance of the past term's work... In addition to our continued auditorium programs, the installation of the motion picture machine, the purchase of the 500 library books, and finally, the acquisition of a National Charter for membership in the National Junior Honor Society."
June 1931 Douglass Survey
Frederick Douglass High School, Carey, Calhoun and Baker Streets
"Eubie Blake, Pianist Renders Recital: On Friday morning, May 29th, the student body had the pleasure of listening to Mr. Eubie Blake, pianist, in an impromptu recital. Mr. Blake was brought to us through the intercedings of Mr. [W. Llewellyn] Wilson, teacher of music."
If you have any memories of writing for any of the colored school newspapers, please let us know.