Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School
Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School (formerly Jefferson Davis High School) is a public high school with grades 9 through 12 located in Montgomery, Alabama, United States. The principal is Demond Mullins. The school is part of the Montgomery Public Schools system.
| Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School (aka JAG High - formerly Jefferson Davis High) | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
3420 Carter Hill Road 36111 United States | |
| Coordinates | 32°20′37″N 86°15′39″W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| Motto | Those who stay will be champions! |
| Established | 1968 |
| CEEB code | 011892 |
| Principal | Dr. Carlos Hammonds |
| Staff | 98.00 (FTE)[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 1,760 (2017–18)[1] |
| Student to teacher ratio | 17.96[1] |
| Color(s) | Purple & gold |
| Nickname | Jaguars |
| Website | www |
History
The school was named after the only-ever president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, in the 1960s, a century after the Confederacy collapsed.[2]
In 2020, the school district's board of education voted to change the school's name,[3] a decision that was affirmed in 2022 despite two years of opposition from local pro-Confederacy groups. The school is to be renamed JAG High School, in honor of three civil rights leaders: Frank Minis Johnson, a judge who ruled in favor of Rosa Parks to strike down segregation policies in Montgomery; pastor and activist Ralph Abernathy; and Robert Graetz, a minister who helped organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott.[4]
Notable alumni
- Craig Brazell, former MLB player (New York Mets, Kansas City Royals)
- Gwendolyn Boyd, former President of Alabama State University and Delta Sigma Theta sorority; valedictorian in 1973
- Artur Davis, former Democratic Congressman of Alabama
- Ladarius Gunter, former Carolina Panthers cornerback
- Michael Henig, former Mississippi State quarterback
- Glenn Howerton, actor, writer, and producer who plays Dennis on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; graduated in 1994
- Jamey Johnson, country music singer and songwriter
- Robert Johnson, former NFL tight end
- Octavia Spencer, Academy Award-winning actress; appeared in the movie The Help (film); graduated in 1988
- Curtis Stewart, former NFL running back
- George Teague, former NFL free safety
- George Thornton, former NFL player (San Diego Chargers, New York Giants)
- Lou Thornton, former MLB player (Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets)
- Jasmine Walker, American professional basketball player
- Davern Williams, former NFL defensive tackle
Enrollment, demographics
Enrollment for 2007 was 1,508 students; 48 percent was male and 52 percent was female. Ethnicities enrolled at the school were white, black, and Hispanic. African-American enrollment was 94 percent, white enrollment was 2 percent, Hispanic enrollment was 2 percent, and Asian enrollment was 1%.[5]
References
- "Jefferson Davis High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- Griesbach, Rebecca (November 16, 2022). "Renaming of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis schools will be first to test Alabama monuments law". AL.com. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- Johnson, Krista (2020-07-14). "Montgomery school board votes to change the Confederate names of three high schools". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2020-07-15.
- Bowerman, Ashley (November 10, 2022). "Montgomery school board votes to change the Confederate names of three high schools". WSFA. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- "Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Alabama (AL)". Retrieved 10 March 2010.