A School Built Separate

By Jayden Wojcik

JCHS 9th Grader

Since the ending of slavery and the start of reconstruction segregation was the normal sight in the South. All public places were divided. Most importantly schools were. 

African American children during this time had few sources to be educated in Monticello. The founding of the Jasper County Training School changed this. In 1921 the school was constructed from boards from the old Monticello High. Also, the Rosenwald Foundation during this time and community donations helped pay for other building expenses. 

The school began to flourish with its goal of vocational training. The school had clubs like New Home Makers of America, New Farmers of America, and Future Teachers of America. These clubs help promote vocational training for jobs African Americans would have to benefit segregated communities. 

Jobs they had during this time mostly were maids, butlers, teachers, and sharecroppers. The school also had various sports teams like basketball, track, football, baseball, and cheerleading. These teams played under the Indian mascot with their colors being black and gold. 

Training schools were built primarily in south with the help of the Rosenwald Foundation. The training school name came from what early supporters of African American education felt these schools were doing. In 1956 a plan for a new Jasper County training school was proposed. The new school would have amenities like a gym and indoor plumbing which the students did not have before.

Local business owners in the Washington Park community (Funderburg Drive area) donated land for the new school. Funding to build this new school came from the Georgia minimum education program created by the state to build what was known as equalization schools. These schools were built to be the same as the white school. 

Monticello High School during this time was building a new school. That’s why Jasper County Middle School which was Monticello High looks the same to Washington Park School due to the goal for them to be equal. The schools opened in 1956. 

In 1968 there was a social movement to change the name training school for schools. The faculty and students voted on what the new name should be. The choices were either A.R. Payne School or Washington Park School. A.R. Payne was the school’s first principal, and he had paved the way for the school that served the community at this point. Washington Park was the community that the school was located in. After the name change the start of integration began. Students during this time had a choice to attend the white school (Monticello High School) or Washington Park School.

This was known as freedom of choice and was created from a clause in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If students decided they wanted to attend the white school, they were not protected from physical harm by students or citizens opposing their choice. They would be blamed for not supporting social customs. In 1969 the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against 81 Georgia counties that had not integrated. This included Jasper County. 

Before this, “Brown vs. Board of Education of 1954” stated that schools had to integrate but with deliberate speed but most school systems did not, and this is why the case was filed. The Jasper County school system integrated for the 1970-71 school year. Washington Park School was consolidated into Washington Park Elementary, and students who attended the high school portion went to Monticello High School. Washington Park Elementary would stay in that building until the late 90’s/early 2000’s when the modern Washington Park Elementary was built. 

In conclusion, the legacy of Jasper County Training School should never be forgotten. I feel the history of the school was an important topic to bring up for Black History Month. Since starting to research this topic for a competition called National History Day, I have felt more thankful for my ancestors that had fought for me to have opportunities to go to school and be involved in clubs like 4-H, Beta, FBLA, and Scouts.

Today I’m glad the color of my skin does not reflect my ability to be educated and grow as a person. Black History Month is not only about celebrating black culture and history but to bring up how skin color does not define us and how we should all be one community that loves each other and cares for each other. This Black History Month and most importantly everyday we should treat each other with respect and dignity each of us deserve.