Baltimore City Public Schools celebrates Black History Month, a time to honor the significant contributions of African Americans who have shaped our history. We are proud that many of our schools are named for trailblazers whose achievements in education, civil rights, the arts, and other fields continue to inspire future generations. Each school stands as a testament to the work, sacrifice, and resilience of these remarkable visionaries. Please keep reading to learn more about our schools, and stay tuned for additional features throughout Black History Month!
School Name | Namesake's bio | Photo |
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Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts | Named after Augusta Fells Savage, an African American sculptor and educator associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Her studio was instrumental in fostering the careers of numerous young artists who rose to national prominence. She also advocated for equal rights for African Americans in the arts. |
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Billie Holiday Elementary School | Billie Holiday Elementary School is named in honor of the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday, born in Baltimore in 1915. Renowned for her distinctive voice and emotive performances, Holiday became one of the most influential jazz vocalists ever, leaving a lasting impact on American music. The school’s name is a tribute to her legacy, inspiring students with her story of resilience, creativity, and cultural significance. |
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Booker T. Washington Middle School | Booker T. Washington was a renowned educator, orator, and institution builder who became one of the most influential Black leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He founded the Tuskegee Institute, a model for vocational education. He established a national network of schools, newspapers, and the National Negro Business League to promote education and economic independence for African Americans. Known for his pragmatic approach, including the "Atlanta Compromise" address, Washington emphasized hard work and self-sufficiency as paths to racial uplift. |
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Calvin M. Rodwell Elementary/Middle School | Named in honor of Calvin M. Rodwell, a Baltimore City police officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty in 1973. Officer Rodwell was deeply committed to fostering a positive image of police officers among the children of Baltimore. He sought assignments within the department that allowed him to engage with youth, teaching them and building trust. His dedication extended far beyond his regular duties. In addition to teaching traffic safety courses at "Safety City" in the Southeast District, he volunteered as an assistant scoutmaster with his local scout troop and served with Big Brothers of Baltimore. |
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Dorothy I. Height Elementary School | Dorothy I. Height was a civil rights and women's rights activist who was crucial in advocating for racial and gender equality in the United States. Born in 1912, she dedicated her life to fighting segregation, expanding educational opportunities for Black women, and pushing for social justice. As the longtime president of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), she worked alongside leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and was instrumental in major civil rights campaigns. Often called the "godmother of the civil rights movement," Height's legacy continues to inspire generations advocating for equality and justice. |
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Dallas F. Nicholas, Sr., Elementary School | This school recognizes Dallas F. Nicholas Sr., an African American lawyer, educator, and civil rights advocate. As a Baltimore City school board member and legal advisor to minority groups, he championed education and social justice, working to improve opportunities for African American students and marginalized communities. His legacy embodies a commitment to equality, progress, and empowerment through education.
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Dr. Bernard Harris, Sr., Elementary School | Dr. Bernard Harris, a distinguished Baltimore physician, and Frederick Douglass High School graduate dedicated his life to improving health and education in his community. He served as a health examiner for Baltimore City Public Schools and as a school board member, advocating for student well-being and better educational opportunities. His commitment to public service left a lasting legacy of positive change. |
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Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School | Dr. Pitts, an education specialist, worked with UNESCO and the U.S. State Department, conducting international fact-finding missions that shaped global educational policies. His efforts focused on improving access, equity, and quality in education, leaving a lasting impact on learning systems worldwide. |
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Elmer A. Henderson: A Johns Hopkins Partnership School | Elmer A. Henderson was a dedicated educator who began teaching at 15 and later became a principal in Baltimore City. His leadership at several schools, including Booker T. Washington, was marked by a focus on academic excellence and community involvement. Henderson's lasting legacy continues to inspire educators in Baltimore. |
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Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High School | Francis Marion Wood was a transformative figure in Baltimore’s education system, serving as Supervisor of Colored Schools from 1925 to 1943. He played a crucial role in expanding educational opportunities for Black students. During his tenure, Black enrollment in Baltimore schools nearly doubled, and he successfully advocated for additional school facilities, including Samuel Coleridge Taylor Elementary and an expanded Frederick Douglass High School. Wood was instrumental in naming many of the city’s Black schools, previously only known by school numbers, after figures who had positively impacted the Black community. He was active in civil rights efforts, helping draft resolutions against lynching and serving on higher education and public safety commissions. Wood’s impact also extended to the arts, assisting in the organization of the first Black symphony in the United States. His legacy remains one of perseverance and dedication to educational equity. |
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Frederick Douglass High School | Frederick Douglass was a legendary abolitionist, author, and orator. Known for his powerful speeches and writings, he advocated for the abolition of slavery and equality for all. His work continues to inspire movements for justice and freedom. |
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Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy | Furman L. Templeton was a civil rights activist in Baltimore who championed the rights of African American workers and fought for better educational and civil liberties. His advocacy was key in advancing racial equality and improving opportunities for marginalized communities in the city. |
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Joseph C. Briscoe Academy | Joseph C. Briscoe was a dedicated educator and advocate for civil rights in Baltimore. As a principal and teacher, he worked tirelessly to improve educational opportunities for Black students during segregation. He also was an advocate for expanding vocational training. His efforts extended beyond the classroom, as he was also involved in civic and community organizations that sought to dismantle racial barriers. |
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Katherine Johnson Global Academy | Creola Katherine Johnson was an African American mathematician and NASA researcher who played a vital role in the success of the first US crewed spaceflights. Her orbital mechanics calculations were crucial for sending the first American astronaut into orbit and landing astronauts on the moon. |
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Lillie May Carroll Jackson School | Lillie May Carroll Jackson was a civil rights organizer in Baltimore and a longtime leader in the city’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Known as the “Mother of Freedom,” Jackson was credited with pioneering nonviolent resistance, a cornerstone of the movement in the 1950s and 1960s.
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Matthew A. Henson Elementary School | Matthew A. Henson was an African American explorer known for his expeditions to the North Pole with Robert Peary. He is celebrated as possibly the first person to reach the Geographic North Pole. |
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Paul Laurence Dunbar High School | Paul Laurence Dunbar was a pioneering African American poet, novelist, and playwright. His use of dialect in poetry gained national acclaim, and his work opened doors for future Black writers. |
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Reginald F. Lewis High School | Reginald F. Lewis was a groundbreaking businessman and the first African American to build a billion-dollar company. A leader in the 1980s, he remains a symbol of excellence in business and entrepreneurship. |
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Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy | Vivien T. Thomas was a surgical technician whose innovative procedures transformed cardiac surgery. Due to the Great Depression, Thomas could not attend college or medical school but still created a life-saving treatment. Working with Alfred Blalock, he developed treatments for blue baby syndrome and broke barriers in the medical field. |
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Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School | Walter P. Carter was a prominent civil rights activist and leader in Baltimore. He organized protests against discrimination across Maryland and contributed to the broader civil rights movement.
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