Many Atlanta Public Schools experienced name changes while in operation or when they experienced an expansion of their facilities. Additionally, by the 1920’s, the Board of Education decided it would stop naming schools afterward and streets, rather, they would begin naming schools after notable figures who have made a difference in their communities. This blog post is dedicated to revealing the APS schools that have experienced name changes.
Ashby Street School
Renamed: E.R. Carter in 1944 after the cherished Atlanta Reverend, E.R. Carter who presided over Friendship Baptist Church for more than 50 years.
Davis Street School
Renamed: This school was renamed after distinguished philanthropist/educator Mary McLeod Bethune in 1955.
East Atlanta School
Renamed: John B. Gordon, after the Civil War brigadier.
English Avenue
Renamed: Kingsbery school after Mrs. Lula Kingbery, former principal of Western Heights elementary.
Further Reading: Her_Memory_Lane_Glows_with_Col
Fair Street School
Renamed: School would be renamed as Ed. S. Cook elementary after former Atlanta Public School president. Ed. S. Cook.
John. F. Faith School
Renamed: C.D. Hubbert in the early 1960’s.
Fraser Street School
Renamed: James L. Key in 1923 after former Atlanta mayor.
Gray Street School
Renamed: The Craddock School after African-American pastor and activist Robert Lee Craddock.
Georgia Avenue School
Renamed: renamed in 1961 to honor Peter James Bryant who was the 3rd Wheat Street Baptist Church pastor in the 1920’s.
Jerome Jones School
Renamed: Its original name was South Boulevard School and would be renamed after labor activist Jerome Jones.
Marietta Street School
Renamed: The old school would be replaced with a newer building and renamed as the West Marietta Street School.
Pryor Street School
Renamed: Economic Opportunity School
Roach Street School
Renamed: Roach Street went through several name changes, from Roach-Mitchell Street school to E.A. Ware Elementary.
State Street School
Renamed: State Street School would eventually merge with Haygood School and be renamed as the Jay Allen Couch School in 1929.
Stewart Avenue School
Renamed: the old facility would be rebuilt and renamed as the Emma Hutchinson school in 1956.
Summer Hill School
Renamed: In 1923, Summerhill would be renamed as E.P. Johnson Elementary after Rev. Edwin Posey Johnson (1849-1929) happened to be one of the most prominent African-American pastors in the city and would be a part of Atlanta University’s first graduating class.
Tenth Street School
Renamed: Would be renamed as the Clark Howell School after Atlanta Constitution editor and president, Clark Howell Sr., in 1937.
Williams Street School
Renamed: Williams Street School would be renamed Fowler Street School in 1950, then renamed Centennial Place Elementary in 1990’s.
As more information is revealed, this blog post will be updated to reflect the new information. In the meantime, I hope that you have learned something new about Atlanta Public Schools!
Forgotten Atlanta Public Schools 