Hall-Kent Elementary School: Difference between revisions
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==History== | ==History== | ||
Hall-Kent traces its roots back to [[Zelosophian Academy]], established in the [[Oak Grove]] area by Dr. [[James Hugh Blair Hall]] in [[1883]], but was built to replace [[Oak Grove Elementary School]], a [[Jefferson County Schools|Jefferson County school]] established in the area in [[1908]], which burned in [[1927]]. [[Raleigh Kent|Raleigh B.]] and [[Edna Mae Kent]] donated four lots with school officials buying a fifth lot for the new school. The four-room, wood-frame schoolhouse, which featured outdoor plumbing, was completed in [[1928]] and named in honor of Dr. Hall and the Kent family. | Hall-Kent traces its roots back to [[Zelosophian Academy]], established in the [[Oak Grove]] area by Dr. [[James Hugh Blair Hall]] in [[1883]], but was built to replace [[Oak Grove Elementary School (1908)|Oak Grove Elementary School]], a [[Jefferson County Schools|Jefferson County school]] established in the area in [[1908]], which burned in [[1927]]. [[Raleigh Kent|Raleigh B.]] and [[Edna Mae Kent]] donated four lots with school officials buying a fifth lot for the new school. The four-room, wood-frame schoolhouse, which featured outdoor plumbing, was completed in [[1928]] and named in honor of Dr. Hall and the Kent family. | ||
The school initially served Oak Grove, [[Green Springs]], and [[Shades Mountain]]. The county later added bus service for students in [[Spaulding]], [[Shannon]], and [[Oxmoor]]. In the early 1930s, Hall-Kent was one of the first schools in [[Alabama]] to have a kindergarten program. In [[1935]], the Hall-Kent Improvement Association held its first fall carnival to raise money for lunchroom equipment. The carnival became a long-standing annual event. | The school initially served Oak Grove, [[Green Springs]], and [[Shades Mountain]]. The county later added bus service for students in [[Spaulding]], [[Shannon]], and [[Oxmoor]]. In the early 1930s, Hall-Kent was one of the first schools in [[Alabama]] to have a kindergarten program. In [[1935]], the Hall-Kent Improvement Association held its first fall carnival to raise money for lunchroom equipment. The carnival became a long-standing annual event. | ||
Revision as of 09:37, 28 June 2013
Hall-Kent Elementary School is one of three elementary schools in the Homewood School System serving grades kindergarten through fifth, located at 213 Hall Avenue. It primarily serves households in West Homewood. Enrollment is approximately 440 students. The principal is Abbie Freeman.
History
Hall-Kent traces its roots back to Zelosophian Academy, established in the Oak Grove area by Dr. James Hugh Blair Hall in 1883, but was built to replace Oak Grove Elementary School, a Jefferson County school established in the area in 1908, which burned in 1927. Raleigh B. and Edna Mae Kent donated four lots with school officials buying a fifth lot for the new school. The four-room, wood-frame schoolhouse, which featured outdoor plumbing, was completed in 1928 and named in honor of Dr. Hall and the Kent family.
The school initially served Oak Grove, Green Springs, and Shades Mountain. The county later added bus service for students in Spaulding, Shannon, and Oxmoor. In the early 1930s, Hall-Kent was one of the first schools in Alabama to have a kindergarten program. In 1935, the Hall-Kent Improvement Association held its first fall carnival to raise money for lunchroom equipment. The carnival became a long-standing annual event.
The pot-bellied stoves were replaced by a gas heating system in the late 1940s. Enrollment increased from 93 students in 1950 to 236 in 1959, necessitating the addition of four more classrooms, an auditorium, restrooms, a teacher workroom, and principal's office during that time. The first two brick sections were added in 1955 and 1960, the latter of which included four more classrooms.
An April 1965 fire destroyed the old wood-frame section, including the library, boiler room, and lunchroom. Some portions were torn down, but the lunchroom was rebuilt as the new library. Despite the additions, enrollment grew to 360 by 1968, leading to large class sizes and some portable classrooms.
In 1970, Hall-Kent became on of the newly-established Homewood City Schools system's three elementary schools.
Principals
- Mrs. J. F. McClain (1928–?)
- Aleen Mitchell (?–1968)
- Anne Jordan (1968–?)
- Gene Burgess (?–1990)
- Jack Allison (1990–2003)
- Carol Lord (2002–2013)
- Gina Dorough (2012, filled in during Lord's leave of absence)
- Abbie Freeman (2013–present)
References
- Summe, Sheryl Spradling. (2001). Homewood: The Life of a City. Homewood, AL: Friends of the Homewood Public Library.
- Rodriguez, Ana (April 23, 2013). "Hall-Kent, Shades Cahaba elementary school principals announce retirement." The Birmingham News.
External Links
- Hall-Kent Elementary School website