C. A. Johnson High School Established 1949

 

The Evolution of the Hornet

 

                                                              

 

C.A. Johnson High School, 2201 Barhamville Road, opened in 1949 as the third high school built for black students in Columbia, SC. The other high schools for black students were Howard School, built in 1872, and Booker T. Washington High School, built in 1916. It was named for Dr. C.A. Johnson, a graduate of Howard School who also taught at Howard, became principal at Howard and principal at Booker T. Washington before becoming the first supervisor of negro schools in Columbia in 1930.

 

The property was bought from J.O. Richbourg in 1938 for $67,847. While the school was being planned and constructed, 1946–1949, the high school faculty and students were located at Carver Junior High School nearby. The value of the 17–acre school grounds in 1949 was $665,000. Renovations worth $58,000 were made in 1954, and in 1956 landscaping was completed for $14,912.

 

Dr. C. J. Johnson, Jr. was appointed the first principal of C. A. Johnson High School.  He was not related to the school’s namesake.  Dr. Johnson heard about the job at Columbia’s new high school for negro students and came from New Jersey in 1949, to interview with Dr. C.A. Johnson.  He was offered the job a year before the school opened.

 

The large two-story building is one of eight high schools within the Capital City School District ofRichland One. The community school community borders two historic African American colleges: Benedict College and Allen University. CA Johnson recently underwent a $30 million dollar renovation to upgrade the existing facility, as well as, added a state-of-the-art auditorium and gymnasium.

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The first year C. A. Johnson was opened there were 1,035 students in grades 7-12.  Among the first teachers were Charles Bolden, Samuel Heyward, Wilhelmina M. Kershaw, and William G. Sanders.  The first graduating class, 1950, had 102 students, including King B. L Jeffcoat, future chairman of the Board of School Commissioners for Richland County School District One.

 

In 1963 the school received a physical facelift with the addition of a wing consisting of a new library, music and band rooms, an art laboratory, business and foreign language laboratories and science rooms.  With this physical improvement, course offerings and extracurricular activities were increased.

 

On June 14, 2001, after 53 years of the name of C. A. Johnson High School, the school’s name was changed to C. A. Johnson Preparatory Academy.  A more rigorous curriculum was implemented, and the school partnered with Benedict College.  The emphasis was on preparing students for two and four-year colleges and more advanced placement courses were offered.

 

Today, C. A. Johnson High School, 2219 Barhamville Road, has more than 400 students who are being served by 79 dedicated faculty and staff, including six national board-certified teachers. C. A. Johnson approaches its 61st anniversary with a new vision and a renewed commitment to excellence. Additions and renovations paid for by the school district’s 2002 bond referendum have transformed it into a school ready for the 21st century.

 

C. A. Johnson High School celebrates a rich history excellence.  Since opening its doors in 1949, C. A. Johnson has graduated thousands of students who are scattered widely across the state and nation in various fields of endeavor.  As the Hornet’s Nest continues to evolve, C. A. Johnson looks toward to the future with Academic Optimism.  With continued and growing community support, the legacy of excellence will continue throughout the ages.  2201 to 2219,

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SCHOOL SYMBOLS

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The Seal

The official seal, which is used on all graduation announcements, is an embossed emblem of green and gold.  At the top is the hornet, the school mascot; in the center is a palmetto tree around which appears the name of the school.

                                            

Mascot and Colors

The official mascot of C. A. Johnson is the Green Hornet. 

The colors are Green and Gold.

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Feel the Sting!