THE PANTHERS
CARVER-HILL HIGH SCHOOL
Carver-Hill School
The Carver-Hill School began in 1915 and was a segregated school for
African-American children. The school was created by Julius Rosenwald, a
philanthropist who set up well funded schools for segregated schools meant
for African-American children. The school became known as the Carver School,
after George Washington Carver, and then became the Carver-Hill School after
the Reverend Edward Hill, who fought for well funded schools for
African-American schoolchildren.
The New Carver-Hill High School 1955
Dr George Washington Carver and
Reverend Edward Hill
The school officially opened its doors as the Carver-Hill School in 1954 and
serviced schoolchildren from kindergarten to high school.
Up
until 1962, every black high school student, seventh through twelfth grades, in the county had to attend
Carver-Hill school. When the school opened it had 12 classrooms, 18
teachers, a gym and auditorium. "It was hands-on. The teachers were
hands-on. They'd push and push you. I don't think I'd be where I am or what
I am today if it wasn't for those teachers", are a common statements made by
many Carver-Hill School students.
The 18 original Carver-Hill School Staff 1955
The school was able to educate black schoolchildren during a time when
schools segregated for African-American schoolchildren were abysmal. It
performed this task until Okaloosa County fully desegregated their schooling
system in the 1968-1969 school year.
The city honors the history and mission of this school with the conversion
of the school into the Carver-Hill Museum. The museum documents the history
of this school with several exhibits and memorial dedications.
Interestingly, many of the former students of this school usually volunteer
at the museum.
Reverend Dwight Dewitt Baggett and Mrs. Novella Sylvania Lee Baggett
Two students, after
completing college returned to teach at Carver-Hill School. Many of
them can help give narratives of the times they lived in and how the school
helped the community.
Carver-Hill High School Song
Carver Hill School,
We pledge our love to you.
You teach us to be friendly and true.
Each day fill our lives anew,
With hope, and joy and faith in you.
We are the students of Carver Hill School.
We obey it's laws and it's rules.
All this helps to make Carver Hill great,
The pride of the sunshine state!
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