Wilkerson Middle School: Difference between revisions
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'''Malachi Wilkerson Middle School''' (originally '''Malachi Wilkerson Elementary School''') is a middle school in the [[Birmingham City Schools]] system located at 116 [[11th Court West]] in the [[East Thomas]] neighborhood. It opened in [[1957]] and was named after [[Malachi Wilkerson]], choir director and head of manual training at [[Parker High School]]. | '''Malachi Wilkerson Middle School''' (originally '''Malachi Wilkerson Elementary School''') is a middle school in the [[Birmingham City Schools]] system located at 116 [[11th Court West]] in the [[East Thomas]] neighborhood. It opened in [[1957]] and was named after [[Malachi Wilkerson]], choir director and head of manual training at [[Parker High School]]. | ||
The closure of another neighborhood school triggered construction of a major addition to Wilkerson of nine classrooms | The closure of another neighborhood school triggered construction of a major addition to Wilkerson of nine classrooms, a library, and new restrooms, which opened in [[1961]]. Architect [[Evan Terry]] designed the addition, which was constructed by [[Atchison & Atchison]] at a cost of $150,000. | ||
Wilkerson transitioned from K-8 to a 6-8 middle school in [[1989]]. | |||
A series of educational performance improvements instituted under the leadership of [[Diane Rivers]] helped the school earn recognition as the first recipient of the Rochester Institute of Technology/USA Today Quality Cup Award in [[1994]]. When poor reading skills were identified as the underlying obstacle toward learning, a peer tutoring program was implemented that led to test score improvements in all subjects and improved discipline. | A series of educational performance improvements instituted under the leadership of [[Diane Rivers]] helped the school earn recognition as the first recipient of the Rochester Institute of Technology/USA Today Quality Cup Award in [[1994]]. When poor reading skills were identified as the underlying obstacle toward learning, a peer tutoring program was implemented that led to test score improvements in all subjects and improved discipline. | ||
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==Principals== | ==Principals== | ||
* [[John Norman]], | * [[John Norman]], 1956–1964 | ||
* [[Charles Crowder]], | * [[Charles Crowder]], 1964–1978 | ||
* [[Clifton Howard]], | * [[Clifton Howard]], 1978–1989 | ||
* [[Anita Skipwith]], | * [[Anita Skipwith]], 1989–1997 | ||
* [[Barbara McDonald]], | * [[Barbara McDonald]], 1997–1998 | ||
* [[Ruby Smith-McClendon]], | * [[Ruby Smith-McClendon]], 1998–2000 | ||
* [[J. J. Watts Jr]], | * [[J. J. Watts Jr]], 2000–2003 | ||
* [[Constance Burnes]], | * [[Constance Burnes]], 2003–2014 | ||
* [[Trarsha Maddox]] (interim), | ** [[Trarsha Maddox]] (interim), 2014–2015 | ||
* [[Davida Hill-Johnson]], | * [[Davida Hill-Johnson]], 2015– | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[https://cdm16044.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p4017coll2/id/14241/rec/3 Schools Adding Near $3 Million In New Facilities]" (January 21, 1961) {{BPH}} - via {{BPLDC}} | |||
* Leech, Marie (October 23, 2008) "All work, no play no dice: Wilkerson Middle School's game room keeps grades up, students motivated." {{BN}} | * Leech, Marie (October 23, 2008) "All work, no play no dice: Wilkerson Middle School's game room keeps grades up, students motivated." {{BN}} | ||
* Bowser, Edward (August 3, 2015) "Birmingham's Wilkerson Middle School has new mural that highlight's city's civil rights past." {{BN}} | * Bowser, Edward (August 3, 2015) "Birmingham's Wilkerson Middle School has new mural that highlight's city's civil rights past." {{BN}} | ||
Revision as of 16:42, 18 March 2021
| Wilkerson Middle School | |
|
Birmingham City Schools |
| Years | 1957–present |
|---|---|
| Location | 116 11th Court West, (map) East Thomas |
| Grades | 6-8 |
| Principal | Davida Hill-Johnson |
| Enrollment | 400 (2016) |
| Colors | |
| Mascot | Wildcats |
| Website | bcs.schoolwires.net |
Malachi Wilkerson Middle School (originally Malachi Wilkerson Elementary School) is a middle school in the Birmingham City Schools system located at 116 11th Court West in the East Thomas neighborhood. It opened in 1957 and was named after Malachi Wilkerson, choir director and head of manual training at Parker High School.
The closure of another neighborhood school triggered construction of a major addition to Wilkerson of nine classrooms, a library, and new restrooms, which opened in 1961. Architect Evan Terry designed the addition, which was constructed by Atchison & Atchison at a cost of $150,000.
Wilkerson transitioned from K-8 to a 6-8 middle school in 1989.
A series of educational performance improvements instituted under the leadership of Diane Rivers helped the school earn recognition as the first recipient of the Rochester Institute of Technology/USA Today Quality Cup Award in 1994. When poor reading skills were identified as the underlying obstacle toward learning, a peer tutoring program was implemented that led to test score improvements in all subjects and improved discipline.
When Constance Burnes began her term as principal in 2003, discipline and achievement test scores were well below average. She instituted a system of strict discipline and accountability, including a well-equipped game room provided as a reward for high achievement. She worked closely with teachers to familiarize students with the content and format of the Alabama Reading and Math Test. She also brought in outside instructors to teach life skills, ballroom dancing and drama. The school developed an outdoor classroom with a fish pond, as well.
In 2004 Wilkerson students were temporarily relocated to the former Lincoln Middle School campus while renovations of the building were completed. The updated and expanded school reopened in 2006.
Wilkerson was named a "model school" by the International Center for Leadership in Education in 2008.
Principals
- John Norman, 1956–1964
- Charles Crowder, 1964–1978
- Clifton Howard, 1978–1989
- Anita Skipwith, 1989–1997
- Barbara McDonald, 1997–1998
- Ruby Smith-McClendon, 1998–2000
- J. J. Watts Jr, 2000–2003
- Constance Burnes, 2003–2014
- Trarsha Maddox (interim), 2014–2015
- Davida Hill-Johnson, 2015–
References
- "Schools Adding Near $3 Million In New Facilities" (January 21, 1961) Birmingham Post-Herald - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Leech, Marie (October 23, 2008) "All work, no play no dice: Wilkerson Middle School's game room keeps grades up, students motivated." The Birmingham News
- Bowser, Edward (August 3, 2015) "Birmingham's Wilkerson Middle School has new mural that highlight's city's civil rights past." The Birmingham News