Eva L. Thomas High School

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. "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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