Luther Jackson Middle School - History

History

The school was built and opened in September 1954 as Fairfax County's sole high school for black students after members of the black community, exasperated by having to send their children as far as Manassas or the District of Columbia, agitated for a school closer to home. Four months after the opening, the Supreme Court declared separate education for students of different races was unconstitutional. But not until September 1960 did 19 black Fairfax high school students began classes at eight previously "white only" schools.

When Fairfax County Public Schools totally integrated, the school opened as Luther Jackson Intermediate School in September 1965. Taylor M. Williams was the only principal of Luther Jackson High School. He continued as principal until he became Area I Superintendent in 1971. A showcase in the foyer proudly displays archival information of Luther Jackson, the school.

Dr. Luther P. Jackson, for whom the school was named, distinguished himself as a historian and an educator whose nationally recognized writings identified the contributions of African-Americans in Virginia's history. He headed the History Department at Virginia State College in Petersburg, provided leadership in the Virginia Teachers Association, organized the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and established the Negro Voters League of Virginia. The N.A.A.C.P. recognized his efforts to enhance the voting rights of African-Americans in Virginia. He contributed numerous articles to the Norfolk Journal and Guide concerning the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy. This scholar, man of action and model of character continues to be an inspiration to the community, staff and students of the school that proudly bears his name.