Eva L. Thomas High School was a high school for African Americans in College Park, Georgia established in 1964, and closed in 1969.[1][2][3][4] It was named after Atlanta Public Schools educator Eva Louise Thomas, who died less than a year before the school opened.[1]

In 1969, the local Board of Education decided to close the school after pressure from the federal government to desegregate, which was met with protests by students and parents.[1][5][6][7] Students moved to schools nearby for the 1970 school year, including the previously all-white College Park High School.[1] The site was repurposed as a middle school until 1980, and currently houses the College Park Elementary School.[1]

The school's basketball team, the Bearcats, won a state championship in 1969.[8] Donald Dollar was the coach.[9] The team competed in the Georgia Interscholastic Association.

A report was published on identifying students with special needs at the school in 1965.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Eva Thomas High School: 1964-1980" (PDF). Fulton County Schools. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  2. ↑ Staff (5 March 2009). "College Park unveils rare black history exhibit". Clayton News. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  3. ↑ "All-Negro School Called Victory for Desegregation". The Columbus Ledger. September 14, 1969. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Bowler, Mike (August 19, 1969). "Thomas School Won't Be Unused". The Atlanta Constitution. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Eva L. Thomas High School is Open". Digital Library of Georgia.
  6. ↑ "Negro Students Protest Atlanta School Closing". The Fresno Bee. United Press International. August 30, 1969. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ ""Idea to Close Eva Thomas High Didn't Come from HEW Office, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 24 August 1969 · Fulton County Schools Archives Digital Collections". Fulton County Schools Archives Digital Collections. 1969-08-24. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  8. ↑ "City of College Park honors championship basketball team 51 years later". www.11alive.com. February 11, 2020.
  9. ↑ "State Tournaments: 1969 B Boys". www.ghsbp.com.
  10. ↑ "Identifying students with special needs at Eva L. Thomas High School College Park, Georgia, 1965 | Atlanta University Center".

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