The legacy of David T. Howard and the school built on the land he donated in 1923 has been an influential and integral part of the Atlanta community.
This February, David T. Howard Middle School celebrated 100 years of educating Atlanta’s youth with both current students and alumni.
Howard Middle School principal Tekeshia Hollis and several students hosted a centennial celebration program with alumni. The program highlighted the history of David T. Howard and featured a performance from the Howard Middle School concert band, a student poet, and remarks from the eldest Howard alumni and former Atlanta Police Chief Eldrin Bell.
“I feel very humbled to be able to walk the halls and reintroduce David T. Howard Middle School to the alumni that came before us,” principal Hollis said.
David T. Howard Middle School 
Legends of David T. Howard Middle School. 
The centennial mural debut at David T. Howard Middle School. 
The David T. Howard Middle School centennial celebration program hosted by seventh grader Mya Mitchell. 
David T. Howard High School’s eldest alumnus Mr. Wesley Johnson, class of 1948. 
David T. Howard National Alumni Association president Ms. Gloria Brown Williams. 
Former Atlanta Chief of Police and alumnus Eldrin Bell. 
David T. Howard alumni celebrate the centennial with current students. 
David T. Howard’s concert band performs at the centennial celebration. 
David T. Howard Middle School eighth grade student poet K.B. Brown. 
APS interim superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle speaks during the centennial celebration. 
The history of David T. Howard along the walls of the historic classroom. 
The historically preserved classroom at David T. Howard Middle School. 
David T. Howard alumni visit the historically preserved classroom. 
David T. Howard alumni visit the historically preserved classroom. 
David T. Howard Middle School principal Tekeshia Hollis 
The centennial mural debut at David T. Howard Middle School. 
The centennial mural debut at David T. Howard Middle School. 
Principal Hollis with the muralist at the centennial celebration at David T. Howard Middle School.
Throughout its 100 years, the school has served as an elementary, middle and high school. Legendary figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Herman Russell, and Walt Frazier once walked the halls of this historic school. Walt “Clyde” Frazier’s former homeroom teacher was also in attendance and shared a brief story about the NBA legend who was in her classroom.
The Howard Middle School Centennial program connected the past to the present and was an ideal segue into the tour of the historical classroom, museum, and the presentation of the new mural in the building.
Howard Middle School Hosts Inspiring Program Celebrating African American Excellence
“It’s an honor to be able to stand here and see the former alumni, the former teacher who last taught here in 1967, and for her to still be here talking about the impact and the students talking about the impact David T. Howard made on their lives and they understood where he came from,” APS interim superintendent Dr. Danielle Battle said. “Celebrating 100 years at Howard Middle School was of the utmost importance so the students can really know the legacy that they are walking in.”
When APS decided to bring Howard Middle School back, principal Hollis and the school’s alumni association worked together to maintain the school’s legacy and create a tangible connection to the school’s history by creating a legacy classroom from the 1940s.
“When I got here a year ago, we decided to bring voice to the room, as opposed to just having the four walls in the room explain who David T. Howard was as a man and the legacy which we walk in,” Hollis said. “We worked and collaborated with one of our vendors and with the alumni association to decide on what artifacts and what facts we wanted to bring to this museum. I’m just excited that it’s here and that people have embraced the changes I’ve been able to make and maintain here.”
After 100 years, the students and staff of Howard Middle School continue to uphold the legacy of the school by exhibiting academic excellence, athletic prowess, and displaying care and compassion for their community.
The school’s Rambassadors read at the nearby feeder school, Hope-Hill Elementary School. The softball, boys and girls soccer, boys basketball and cross-country teams have won championships. Howard Middle School students were ranked in academic bowl state competitions, placed in spelling bees, science fairs, debate tournaments, and more.
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