Hamilton High School (Memphis, Tennessee)

Hamilton High School is a public high school in Memphis, Tennessee, located at 1363 E Person Avenue. Enrollment is 646 as of the 2019–2020 school year and the school is part of the Shelby County School District.[1]

Hamilton High School
Address
1363 E Person Avenue

Memphis
,
Tennessee
38106

United States
Coordinates35.1001°N 90.0170°W / 35.1001; -90.0170
Information
TypePublic
MottoLove Hamilton Absolutely
School districtShelby County School District
NCES School ID470014801080
Teaching staff41 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment646 (2019–2020)
 • Grade 9234
 • Grade 10137
 • Grade 11142
 • Grade 12133
Student to teacher ratio15.76
Color(s)
  • Royal blue  
  • white  
MascotWildcats
Websiteschools.scsk12.org/Domain/16

The school has a Junior ROTC program and requires a school uniform.[2]

Hamilton High School graduates were among the Memphis State Eight that broke the color barrier at Memphis State in 1959.[3] There was a clash between students and police during the Martin Luther King era.[4][5] In 2011 organizers rallied to save the high school from closing.[6]

School colors are royal blue and white. Wildcats are the mascot, and the school motto is "Love Hamilton Absolutely".[7][8]

Former NFL player Curtis Weathers served as principal in 2015 and sought to transition the school into a Charter School.[9] The school was part of a grade tampering controversy at several Shelby County schools in 2017 and had its principal demoted to a teaching position as a result.[10]

97% of students are black as of 2020.[1] Student scores are very low on math and reading proficiency state exams.[11]

History

Shooting incidents
  • In October 2004, a student fired a gun at another student but missed and no one was injured.[12]
  • On February 4, 2008, a student was shot in the leg after an argument by another student in a third floor classroom.[12][13]
  • On August 15, 2012, a person from across the street shot at the students who hit the deck in the school's parking lot. The police believe the shooting was gang related. No one was injured in the incident.[14]
  • On April 20, 2018, a coach was shot and carjacked in the schools parking lot.[15][16][17]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - Hamilton High (470014801080)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  2. "Hamilton High, Memphis, TN". Memphis School Guide. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  3. "Memphis State Eight Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database.
  4. Garrow, David J. (1981). The FBI and Martin Luther King, Jr.: From "Solo" to Memphis. Open Road Media. p. 161. ISBN 978-1-5040-1153-2. OCLC 915158153.
  5. Bond, Beverly G. (2006). Beale Street. Arcadia Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4396-1753-3. OCLC 1100671114.
  6. Jones, Tom (March 10, 2011). "School's Out". Memphis magazine.
  7. "Homepage". Hamilton High. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  8. "Hamilton High School (Memphis, TN) Home". MaxPreps. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  9. Roberts, Jane (March 27, 2015). "Hamilton principal plans to file application to turn school into a charter". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  10. Pignolet, Jennifer (January 9, 2019). "Former Hamilton principal who lost job over grade tampering allegations loses her appeal". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  11. "Hamilton High School in Memphis, TN". U.S. News & World Report.
  12. "Police investigate shooting inside classroom at Hamilton High". actionnews5.com.
  13. Baird, Woody. "Police: Student shot during gym class at Memphis high school had prior dispute with suspect". Eagle-Tribune.
  14. "Students shot at outside Memphis high school". actionnews5.com. August 18, 2012.
  15. "Police: Man eating near Hamilton High baseball field has gun pulled on him, car stolen". April 23, 2018.
  16. "Hamilton High coach shot and carjacked at school". FOX13 News Memphis. May 9, 2018.
  17. "Two teens charged for shooting, carjacking Memphis Hamilton coach; mother of suspect says son was at home". May 10, 2018.
  18. Burke, Bill E. (March 10, 1966). "Big Ella: 'I Like to Sing, Period!'". The Memphis Press-Scimitar. p. 16.
  19. Downes, Zachary (March 3, 2020). "Young Dolph gives back to his high school". WREG. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  20. "Al Henry Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  21. Sporting News (July 1985). Football Register-85. p. 367. ISBN 978-0-89204-188-6. OCLC 1036862818.
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