John Marshall High School (Richmond, Virginia)

History

Named after Founding Father John Marshall, who also served as the fourth chief justice of the United States, the school originally opened in 1909, serving an all-white student body. The original school sat at the intersection of Eighth Street and Marshall Street, and was Richmond's first public high school when it opened. It was located behind the historic John Marshall House.

In late 1959, ground was broken for a replacement high school on the grounds of the old Pine Camp Tuberculosis Hospital. Several names were considered by the school board, which chose to re-use the John Marshall name. Following the 1959–60 school year, the original building was closed, with the new facility welcoming students in the fall of 1960. The original building was demolished in 1961, in spite of protests by students. Today, the John Marshall Courthouse complex is located at the site of the old school.

Desegregation arrived at John Marshall in 1961 when three Black students were admitted. Integration quickly followed, to the point where by 1968 the Black student population exceeded that of white students.

Demographics

As of the 2022–23 school year, John Marshall's student body is 84.3% Black, with 88.7% minority enrollment. Ninety-nine percent of students were economically disadvantaged and on the free-lunch program.

Student performance

As of the 2022–23 school year, 32% of John Marshall students had taken at least one AP test, and the graduation rate was 94%. Proficiency in mathematics was at 35%, while reading and science were at 76% and 40%, respectively.

Notable alumni

• Carroll Alley physicist
• T. Coleman Andrews candidate for President of the United States in 1956
• Milton Bell former professional basketball player
• June Carter Cash Grammy award-winning country singer and songwriter; second wife of Johnny Cash
• Clifford Dowdey writer
• Frances Farmer law librarian and professor
• Minetree Folkes member of the Virginia House of Delegates
• Fred Gantt former professional basketball player
• Evelyn Byrd Harrison classical scholar and archaeologist
• Frances Helm stage, film, and television actress
• Kay Coles James public official
• Arrington Jones former NFL running back, San Francisco 49ers
• Charlotte Kohler literary magazine editor and university professor
• John La Touche lyricist
• Frank McCarthy distinguished film producer, whose production Patton won the 1970 Academy Award for Best Picture
• T. Nelson Parker mayor of Richmond, Virginia, commissioner of insurance
• Robert H. Patterson Jr. lawyer
• Theresa Pollak artist and art educator
• Bobby Phillips former NFL running back, Minnesota Vikings
• Mel Roach former Major League Baseball player
• Hansford Rowe film, stage and television actor
• Ed Sherod former professional basketball player
• Corey Smith former NFL defensive end
• Charles L. Southward United States Army major general
• Lewis Strauss government official, businessman, philanthropist and naval officer; nemesis of J. Robert Oppenheimer
• Isaiah Todd professional basketball player, NBA G League
• Emmett Watson illustrator whose works appeared in popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post

References

References

1. McNeill, Brian. (8 June 2020). "VCU English student, a teacher at Richmond's John Marshall High School, digs into the school's past". Virginia Commonwealth University.
2. "John Marshall High School".
3. Kastner, Lindsay. (Jul 12, 2006). "Graduates honor a city high school's past". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
4. . (May 11, 1959). "Bids Due June 12 on 2 Schools". *Richmond News Leader*.
5. . (Apr 12, 1960). "Real Estate Moves Made By Council". *Richmond Times-Dispatch*.
6. . (Sep 25, 1959). "Advisor on Teachers' Pay To Be Named This Afternoon". *Richmond Times-Dispatch*.
7. . (Sep 26, 1959). "Committee Named To Study Salaries Of City Teachers". *Richmond Times-Dispatch*.
8. Baker, James. (Sep 2, 1961). "Area Schools Set to Open: Token Integration in City". Richmond News Leader.
9. . (Sep 6, 1961). "Color Barrier Broken: Negro Girl Says Day Went 'Nicely' at JM". *Richmond News Leader*.
10. . (Nov 20, 1968). "Resegregation Data Of North Side Ready". *Richmond Times-Dispatch*.
11. (1959-12-23). "Minetree Folkes Jr., Delegate in State Assembly, Dies at 51". [[Richmond Times-Dispatch]].
12. (1973-05-13). "Thomas Parker, Former State Official, Dies". The News.