Jefferson High School (Los Angeles, California)

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Thomas Jefferson
High School
Location
1319 East 41st Street
Los Angeles, California California
United States United States 90011
Information
Type Public
Established 1916
School district Los Angeles Unified School District
Principal Michael Taft
Grades 9-12
Campus Urban
Color(s) Green and Gold
Athletics conference Southern League, Los Angeles City Section CIF
Nickname Democrats (Demos)
Rival Santee Falcons
Website Jefferson HS website

For schools with a similar name, see Jefferson High School.

Thomas Jefferson High School, usually referred to as Jefferson High School was founded in 1916, it is the fourth oldest public high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Located in South Los Angeles (formerly called South-Central),[1] its surrounding communities are Downtown, Florence, Historic South-Central and South Park. Its colors are Kelly Green and Gold and the teams are called the Democrats or Demos.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] The Beginning...

Jefferson High Original School from the Front, 1920
Jefferson High Original School aerial view, 1920
Jefferson High Original School from the Rear, 1920
Carmen de Lavallade and Alvin Ailey in 1954
Woody Strode plays left end for Jefferson High Democrat in 1936
Ralph Bunche
Music Teacher Samuel Brown in 1926
Rep. Augustus F. Hawkins

In 1915, the citizen of Los Angeles voted to sell bonds to raise 4,600,000 dollars to build schools in the Los Angeles area. Approximately $500,000 was appropriated to build Jefferson High School[2] on the "Stadium East Grounds" (The Old Coliseum)[A] which held approximately 25,000 people in a circled amphitheater configuration. The "Stadium" as it was known was the site for hosting and entertaining travelers on the way to both the San Diego and San Francisco world expo in 1915. Numerous Rodeos and bicycle races were held at the location.[3]

Architect Norman F Marsh was hired to design the new Jefferson High School complex, the property front 1235 feet on Hooper Avenue, 1149 feet on Compton Avenue, and 952 feet on thirty Fourth Street and 392 feet on thirty eight streets. The buildings of the group will be of brick and concrete construction, being faced with rug tapestry brick and trimmed with artificial stoned. All corridors and stairways will be made absolutely fireproof. The classic style will be followed, each of the main structures having a dignified entrance portico with stone pediment and columns.[2]

Jefferson opened its doors on September 11, 1916, with 24 faculty members and two buildings completed. Theodore Fulton was installed as the School first Principal.[4]

[edit] The Earthquake...

On March 10, 1933 in the city of Long Beach, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 which totally destroyed the infrastructure of the six buildings which composed the Jefferson High School Campus. The campus was closed from March 10 until April 6 while the school boards access the situation. On April 6, tent bungalows provided by the school board was erected on the football fields. Classes were shortened to half day sessions in order to serve the entire student population.[5]

[edit] The New Beginning

In 1933, Architect Stiles O Clement was hired to build a 45 unit campus with a budget of $353,000.[6] The "Streamline Moderne" building structures were completed in 1935. Ross Dickinson was selected and funded by Federal Art Project to Paint four 11 feet by 5.5 foot murals with the theme “The History of Recorded Word”. The murals were completed in 1937.[7]

As of 1936, several future notable alumni such as Ralph Bunche, Woody Strode and Samuel R Browne have already graduated from Jefferson High School. All three men African American, they will be the first of many Jefferson alumni to break racial barriers in the Politics of Diplomacy, The Art of Dance, the Art of Music and the Interpretation of Sports. Jefferson produced more Jazz musician and composer than any other high school west of the Mississippi.[8] Many of the musicians were nurtured under the guidance of Samuel R. Browne

[edit] Sports

Beginning in 1937, Jefferson won the first of 8 California State Championship in Track and Field (1937, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1956, 1962, and 1964), no other high school in the nation can match what the Democrats at Jefferson High have accomplished in that time period.[9] The four consecutive state championships in California (1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952) have not been surpassed today. Woody Strode is one of two men who broke the color barrier in the National Football League in 1946. Mal Whitfield and Charles Dumas both received Gold Medals in the Olympics. This is a rare instance when two Olympic Gold medalists have come from the same high school.


The Fulton-Littlefield athletic field were the Jefferson track and field teams plays is named after the first principal Theodore Fulton and legendary football coach Harry Von Littlefield.

[edit] Music

Jazz may have begun in New Orleans, but Jefferson High produce more prominent Jazz Musicians / Composers than any public or private high school in California.[8] Legendary music teachers Caughey Roberts and Samuel R. Browne demanding orchestral scores set the bar very high for would-be composers. Browne's clinics with William Grant Still and Jimmie Lunceford would challenge students to be the best they could be.[8]


Doo Wop groups such as The Platters (originally called the LA Flamingos) [10] and The Penguins [11] were initially formed with a least one singer from Jefferson High. Group members such as Richard Berry, Young Jessie and Jesse Belvin went on to have notable individual careers.

[edit] Academic Configuration

Jefferson is a traditional calendar school, composed of four Small Learning Communities (SLCs) and the Early College program which is located at L.A. Trade Tech. The goal of each SLC is to offer individualized attention to our students.[12]

 This section may contain wording that merely promotes the subject without imparting verifiable information. Please remove or replace such wording, unless you can cite independent sources that support the characterization. (September 2011)

[edit] Jefferson Small Learning Communities (SLCs)

[edit] Academy of Business & Communication (ABC)

Focuses on building leaders in the liberal arts, retail, medical, legal and business fields.


[12] The Academy of Business and Communication is for students who are dedicated to becoming active, competent members of society. It is for students to create change for themselves and their community in their choice of careers. The academy will develop solid communication skills through the art of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In doing so, we prepare each student for the challenges they will face in the real world. Project-based learning coupled with computer technology will broaden the experiences in each student’s field of interest. Our academy classes are focused on the field of business, the literary arts, social services, retail, medical and legal fields. ABC is a viable pathway to lucrative post secondary opportunities in a variety of exciting and diverse fields.

[edit] Creative Arts and Expression (CAE)

Focuses on the creative energy and leadership within each student through the Visual Arts. The Creative Arts and Expression learning community strives to develop students inner creative voices so that they will contribute positively to society.


[12] All students are valued members of a creative, trusting, caring and intellectual learning community. Focusing on the creative energy within each student, we create an environment that inspires and motivates students to express themselves. Through authentic projects, students demonstrate who they are and what they believe. Each student will be able to choose from a variety of visual arts classes. Students will complete a minimum of three years of Visual Arts studies, in addition to meeting all of their university entrance requirements. All of our members will graduate in four years. The personal portfolio will demonstrate proficiency in their chosen career pathway, and allow each student a selection of viable post-secondary options from the world of work to colleges and universities.

[edit] Global Outlook through Academic LEADERSHIP

Focuses on building leaders in the social, political, environmental, health and economic fields


[12] The GOAL SLC prepares students for the complex, competitive and diverse world of the twenty-first century. In a world that is becoming more and more connected, successful people will be those who are culturally aware and can analyze the forces shaping our global community. This small learning community will build these leaders by offering an academic program that encourages students to explore social, political, environmental, health and economic issues on a national and international front. Additionally, GOAL will establish a wide variety of partnerships, including colleges and universities to enhance the educational experience. Additional opportunities for success in fields such as politics, law, business, social work, international relations and economics is our goal. The GOAL SLC is the pathway to success!

[edit] TPA Small Learning Community

Focuses on building leaders in the education and social services fields


[12] Through interdisciplinary, thematic approaches, project-based learning and internships, students are taught to strengthen their skills and excel academically. TPA graduates will become strong educational professionals and productive citizens. Utilizing the vast resources within the community, TPA students learn by teaching others. They are tutors, mentors and assistants to children in all grade levels in schools within the Jefferson community. Students are able to work closely with local universities to explore the many careers available through the field of education and beyond. There is also an opportunity for the students to become teacher assistants within LAUSD while they complete college course work for a teaching credential. Successful candidates will receive an offer of employment from the Los Angeles Unified School District upon completion of all mandated requirements.

[edit] Jefferson Early College Program (SLCs)

[edit] Jefferson/Trade Tech. Incentive

Our focus is to enroll high school graduates into college, not to just graduate students from high school.


[12] Jefferson/Trade Tech. Incentive program does not accept students into the program based on grade point average but rather on recommendation, interview and clearance by the Dean of Discipline, Counselor, and Attendance office. We are not a continuation or "last resort" program. We have a staff of four high school instructors, a coordinator, an office manager and two support personnel. The vast majority of our students have extenuating circumstances in their lives that range from single parenting to full-time employment, history of gang involvement to recent immigrant status. We have students with 4.0 G.P.A's and others struggling to maintain a 1.2. We are truly a diverse group!

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Dancer / Choreographer / Entertainer

  • Alvin Ailey - [12] an American choreographer and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York.
  • Carmen De Lavallade - Dancer, Performer, Actor, Educator) [13] - Prima Ballerina Metropolitan Opera; Original Principle Guest Performer " Alvin Ailey Dance Company, choreographer at the Yale School of Drama and Actor in movies "Carmen Jones", "Odds Against Tomorrow" and a host of films. Married to Performer Geoffrey Holder
  • Dorothy Dandridge - [12] an American actress and popular singer. Dandridge was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for the movie Carmen Jones.

[edit] Television / Film Personality

  • Woody Strode - (Actor, Football Player) Veteran of 30 movies including "The Ten Commandments -1956", "Spartacus -1960", "Posse" -1993 (See Football)
  • Mablean Ephriam - Television Personality - "Judge Mablean"
  • Merry Clayton - Actress, Singer - [14] Eight Episode of "Cagney and Lacey", Acted in "Maid to Order" with Alley Sheedy (See Singer below)
  • Juanita Moore - Actress - [15] - The 4th African American nominated for an Oscar. Participated in over 50 movies; best known for her role as the mother in the movie "Imitation of Life"
  • Matthew Beard (American actor) - Actor (Our gang Little Rascals Series)

[edit] Television / Film Production, Direction, Design

  • Iwao Takamoto - Animator, Design the character image of the Hanna-Barbera Production cartoon Scooby-Doo.
  • John Meehan - Motion Picture Art Director. Won an Academy Awards for Art Direction for the following movies: "The Heiress","Sunset Blvd","20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", Movie & Television Art Direction. Graduated with the class of 1922.

[edit] Politician / Judicial

  • Ralph Bunche - [16] - Educator, UN mediator on Palestine and Nobel Peace Prize Winner
  • Thelton Henderson - [17] - Federal Judge in the Northern District of California.
  • Willard H. Murray, Jr. - [18] California State Assembly Member 1988-1996 (District 52); California Institute for the Preservation of Jazz. Current director of the Water Replenishment District 1. Father of Former State Senator Kevin Murray ref: Testimony of Buddy Collette & Marl Young
  • Augustus F. Hawkins - [19] U.S. House of Representatives from California's 21st and 29th district from 1963–1991; California assembly from 1935–1963
  • David W. Williams - [20] Judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California; first African American Federal Judge from states west of the Mississippi.
  • William R Clay - [21] Appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to Superior Court judge in October 1976. Prior to his appointement William work as a Municipal Court judge in the city of Inglewood and Pomona. A member of the Los Angeles Police Department; William work part time as an Attorney.
  • Earl C. Gay (1902–75), Los Angeles City Council member, 1933–45

[edit] Journalist

  • Stanley Crouch - Syndicated Columnist and Novelist.[22] Created nine Non-Fiction novel and 2 Fiction novels. He is a Controversial anti-rap critic; His novel "Ain't No Ambulances For No Nigguhs Tonight" was typical writings against the non-sophisticated black man.

[edit] BUSINESS

  • James A. Bell - Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance of the Boeing Company. Awarded Distinguished Alumni of the College of Business and Economics.
  • JoAnn Johnson (Black) - Vice President Human Resources Warner Bros. Studios

[edit] Composer / Writer /Music Director

  • Floyd Dixon - Songwriter, Singer - [23] Hit Songs "Telephone Blues", "Call Operator 210" and "Hey Bartender", the latter enjoying wide exposure by the release of 1980 hit "The Blues Brothers"
  • Roy Ayers - Jazz Composer and Vibraphone player - [24] Arranged Musical Score for 1973 movie "Coffy" and classic albums "Running Away 1976" and "Mystic Voyage 1975"
  • Richard Berry - Songwriter, Singer - [25] Wrote Classic Hit Song "Louie Louie" made popular by The Kingsmen
  • Rickey Minor - Emmy-nominated music director, composer, and music producer: widely known for the title ‘Music Director" for television series The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, "American Idol" and "Don’t Forget the Lyrics".
  • Barry White - Record Producer, Singer Song Writer; Five times Grammy Award Winner; attended Jefferson for sophomore and junior year.
  • Horace Tapscott - Jazz Piano player and composer [26] Subject of UCLA Jazz Achieve called the Horace Tapscott Collection. Creator of "The Pan Afrikan Peoples Arkestra (P.A.P.A.)"
  • Jesse Belvin - Songwriter, Singer - [27] Co-Wrote "Goodnight My Love" used to end Alan Freed show; co-credited as one of writers of "Earth Angel" made popular by the Penguins
  • Johnny "Guitar" Watson - American Blues and Funk guitarist/singer [28]
  • Young Jessie - Songwriter, Singer - [29] famous for the hit song "Mary Lou"

[edit] Singer - Musician

[edit] Singers - Groups

  • The Penguins - 3 group members - Curtis Williams, Bruce Tate, and Ray Brewster[11] - The Group sang the Original Song "Earth Angel"
  • The Platters - 3 original group members - Gaynel Hodge, Alex Hodge, Cornell Gunter and 1 alumni, Ray Brewster[10]
  • The Coasters - 1 group member - Cornell Gunter[37]
  • The Cadillacs - 1 group member - Ray Brewster [38]
  • The Hollywood Flames -1 group member- Ray Brewster [39]
  • Mighty Clouds of Joy - 1 group member - Johnny Martin - [40] - Recorded over 25 albums and received two Grammy Award and a host of other awards
  • Etta James - Blues singer - [41][42] "famous for hit song "At Last"
  • Ernie Andrews - Jazz Blues Singer [24]
  • Merry Clayton - (Singer, Actress) [14] Solo and Backup. Recorded "Gimme Shelter" duet with Mick Jagger. "Who can I count on" with Bobby Darin. (Also see Television/film)
  • O.C. Smith - Jazz Singer, Minister [43] Performed with Count Basie Orchestra; he recorded the first version of the song "That Life" made famous by Frank Sinatra. He had numerous hit songs in his long career.
  • Mel Walker - Lead Singer with the Johnny Otis Orchestra [23] " No 1 hits "Mistrustin' Blues" and "Cupid Boogie"
  • Cornell Gunter - Lead Singer - [44] Original member of the The Platters and a member of The Coasters singing group. Transferred to Manual Arts his senior year.
  • Jennell Hawkins - Lead Singer - [45] famous for her hit "Moments to Remember"
  • Ivie Anderson - Lead Singer - Performed with Duke Ellington orchestra between 1931 and 1942
  • Arthur Lee Maye - of Arthur Lee Maye and the Crowns, was lead singer of the pioneering groups of the Doo Wop genre in the early 1950s.
  • Richard Berry -Singer, songwriter, musician. Most famous for writing Louie Louie, Berry performed with numerous Los Angeles doo-wop groups including The Flairs.

[edit] Copyist

  • Marion Sherrill - (clarinet Player)[46] Owner of "The Script House" which copied complicated arraignments from Zubin Meta (La Symphony) to Horace Tapscott

[edit] Sports

[edit] Jazz Era Music Teacher and Mentors

[edit] Academic Performance Index (API)

API for High Schools in the LAUSD District 5 and local small public charter high schools in the East Los Angeles region.

School 2007 [56] 2008 [57]
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts 831 840
Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School 807 818
Marc and Eva Stern Math and Science School 718 792
Abraham Lincoln High School 594 609
James A. Garfield High School 553 597
Woodrow Wilson High School 582 585
Theodore Roosevelt High School 557 551
Thomas Jefferson High School 457 516
Santee Education Complex 502

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ The Old Coliseum precedes the "Los Angeles Coliseum built in 1929 that hosted two Olympics. It was the main amphitheater in Los Angeles in the late 1800's.
  2. ^ We believe Janet Collins has taken classes at Jefferson High, but we have not found any documentation to confirm that statement.

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Los Angeles Times: Data Desk: Mapping L.A.: Neighborhoods
  2. ^ a b Jefferson "High" to cost Quarter-Million - Los Angeles Times - July 4th, 1915
  3. ^ Golden West as Pageant - Los Angeles Times - April 2nd, 1915
  4. ^ New High School faculty Name - Los Angeles Times - September 2nd, 1916
  5. ^ Last schools to reopen - Los Angeles Times - April 4th 1933
  6. ^ Plans to be Prepared for Building Project - Los Angeles Times - September 30th, 1934
  7. ^ School Mural Depicts Writing, Graving, Printing - Los Angeles Times - May 16th 1937
  8. ^ a b c d e f Jazz High by Kirk Silsbee - LACityBeat Magazine
  9. ^ Top Track teams of all times
  10. ^ a b R&B NOTEBOOKS The Platters
  11. ^ a b R&B NOTEBOOKS The Pengquins
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Thomas Jefferson H.S. Alumni
  13. ^ Carmen de Lavallade's oral history video excerpts
  14. ^ a b Rocks BackPages Diary - 2009 - Harvey Kubernick Merry Clayton on the Rolling stones "Gimme Shelter" Session
  15. ^ Mapp, Edward (2008). African Americans and the Oscar: decades of struggle and achievement. Lanham Maryland: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0-8108-6106-2.  pp. 13.
  16. ^ Nobel Prize Biography
  17. ^ Federal Judge Northen District of California
  18. ^ Testimony of Buddy Collette & Marl Young
  19. ^ Black Americans in Congress
  20. ^ Woo, Elaine, "David Williams Dies." Los Angeles Times, May 10, 2000. http://articles.latimes.com/2000/may/10/local/me-28552
  21. ^ Retired Judge, LAPD Veteran William R. Clay Dead at 85
  22. ^ Crouch, Stanley (2006). Considering Genius: Writings on Jazz. New York: Perseus Book Group. ISBN 0-4650-1517-4.  pp. Prologue.
  23. ^ a b Deffaa, Chip (2000). Blue Rhythms: Six Lives in Rhythm and Blues. New York: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-3163-7794-5.  pp. 159.
  24. ^ a b c Bird, Christiane (2001). The DA CAPO JAZZ AND BLUES LOVER'S GUIDE TO THE U.S.. Cambridge MA: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-3068-1034-4.  pp. 407.
  25. ^ Louie Louie
  26. ^ Isoardi, Steve (2001). Songs of the Unsung: the musical and social journey of Horace Tapscott. North Carolina: Duke University Press. ISBN 0-8223-2531-4.  pp. 28.
  27. ^ Guralnick, Peter (2005). Dream boogie; the triumph of Sam Cooke. New York: Time Warner Book Group. ISBN 0-3163-7794-5.  pp. 185.
  28. ^ year=1974, Blues unlimited, Issues 107-138 Magazine
  29. ^ Guralnick, Peter (2005). Dream boogie; the triumph of Sam Cooke. New York: Time Warner Book Group. ISBN 0-3163-7794-5.  pp. 252.
  30. ^ [1]
  31. ^ [2]
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Britt, Stan (1989). Dextor Gordon: a music biography. London: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-3068-0361-5.  pp. 4, 26.
  33. ^ a b Porter, Roy (1991). There and Back. Oxford: Bayoo Press. ISBN 1-8714-7830-8.  pp. 162.
  34. ^ Stokes, W.Royal (1991). The Jazz Scene:an informal history from New Orleans to 1990. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-1950-8270-2.  pp. 125.
  35. ^ a b c d Bryant, Clora (1998). Central Avenue Sounds: Jazz in Los Angeles. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-5202-2098-6.  pp. 28, 198, 206, 211, 257.
  36. ^ EdThipen.com
  37. ^ Coaster Bio
  38. ^ The Cadillacs
  39. ^ Marv Golberg R&B Notebook The Hollywood Flames
  40. ^ Uncloudy Days:The Gospel Music Encyclopedia
  41. ^ Etta James and the Roots Band 2008 - September 29 2008 by Lisa Robyn Lawerence
  42. ^ Doo Wop Club - Floyd Dixon
  43. ^ Rev. Dr O.C. Smith Bio
  44. ^ The Coasters Website
  45. ^ Answer.com
  46. ^ Musician Union Local 47
  47. ^ Football
  48. ^ The 1950 Team - The Best Track and Field Team Ever!?
  49. ^ Harlem Globetrotters
  50. ^ Funeral in Downey today for UCLA player Edgar Lacey, Long Beach Press Telegram, April 8, 2011
  51. ^ The Rare Double-Play of Arthure Lee Maye by Phil Milstein
  52. ^ Basketball
  53. ^ UCLA's Rasshan Set to Make History Saturday
  54. ^ Modern NFL 1946 - Forward
  55. ^ The Whitfield Foundation
  56. ^ 2007-08 Accountability Progress Reporting (APR) Retrieved on September 25, 2009
  57. ^ 2008-09 Accountability Progress Reporting (APR) Retrieved on September 25, 2009

[edit] External links
High schools
Garfield · Jefferson · Lincoln · Roosevelt · Santee EC · Torres · Wilson
Magnet schools

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