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History
The
official history began on December 10, 1895, just six
months after Eunice was incorporated, when an election
was held to finance construction of a school building.
By October of 1899, the building was completed at a cost
of $1,427.00.
Prior to
1895, very little is known about education in the Eunice
area other than there was a school with Mrs. M. C.
Boutte as the teacher. Miss Virginia Dorman taught in
1895-96 and was assisted by Mrs. Boutte in 1897-99. the
attendance was large enough to hire another teacher for
the 1899-1900 session. It was at this time that the
first school building was occupied and our first
principal, Miss Hawthorne was named.
In 1907
the school property was turned over to the St. Landry
Parish School Board with the understanding that a high
school would be provided by the parish for Eunice. This
was provided by the parish and in 1910 the first class
graduated from Eunice High School.
With the
continued growth of the community, a new high school
plant was built in 1925 and the elementary grades were
housed in the old building.
This
three-storied building served well for thirty years
without change. The mid-fifties brought on the addition
of gym, home economics, industrial arts and music rooms.
In 1962
the vision of a new Senior High School came closer to
reality with the approval of a bond election. Contracts
were awarded for the Eunice High School building in 1965
and in September of 1966 the present building was
occupied.
In the
early 1900's the only means of education that black
children received was through the homes and churches.
Later, several educators were instrumental in providing
formal education for black children. Professor Hurd,
Mrs. Campbell, Mr. Danny Smith, Mr. Fred Porter,
Professor Solete, and Rev. Melvin S. Green were a few of
those.
Through
the persistence of leaders and parents the school board
established the first black high school in the northern
section of Eunice with Rev. George Guillory as the
principal. This school was called North Eunice High
School and was located where East Elementary presently
stands.
In
September 1951 a new brick building, Charles Drew High
School, opened its doors for black students. Jonas E.
Mason was appointed principal. There were 1,132 pupils
in grades 1-12 with 40 teachers and 36 classrooms.
Integration of St. Landry Parish Schools in 1969 brought
Charles Drew High School Students in to merge with
Eunice High School. Charles Drew High School became
Central Middle School.
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