Hamilton High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
Hamilton High School is a public high school in Memphis, Tennessee, at 1363 E Person Avenue. Enrollment is about 625.[1]
It is named for Green Polonius Hamilton. 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]
It has 100% minority enrollment. Student scores are very low on math and reading proficiency state exams.[1]
Notable alumni
- Lois DeBerry, state legislator
- Young Dolph, rapper[11]
- Al Henry, basketball player[12]
- Keith Edward Simpson, football cornerback[13]
- Bernard Williams, football player
References
- ^ a b Hamilton High School 2020 Rankings
- ^ "Hamilton High, Memphis, TN - Memphis School Guide". schools.memphisschoolguide.org.
- ^ "Memphis State Eight Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
- ^ David J. Garrow (17 February 2015). The FBI and Martin Luther King, Jr.: From "Solo" to Memphis. Open Road Media. p. 161. ISBN 978-1-5040-1153-2.
- ^ Dr. Beverly G. Bond (18 September 2012). Beale Street. Arcadia Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 978-1-4396-1753-3.
- ^ Jones, Tom (March 10, 2011). "School's Out". Memphis magazine.
- ^ "Hamilton High / Homepage". http.
- ^ "Hamilton High School (Memphis, TN) Home | MaxPreps". www.maxpreps.com.
- ^ "Hamilton principal plans to file application to turn school into a charter". www.commercialappeal.com.
- ^ Monekea Smith loses appeal to be reinstated as principal at Hamilton High, MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL APPEAL, January 10, 2019
- ^ "Young Dolph gives back to his high school". March 3, 2020.
- ^ "NBA & ABA Players Who Attended High School in Tennessee". Basketball-Reference.com.
- ^ Sporting News (1 July 1985). Football register. Sporting News. p. 175. ISBN 978-0-89204-188-6.