Ahead stands Boys and Girls High School. It is more than just a building. It is a place with a rich story. It has seen many changes over the years.
Boys and Girls High School started as Brooklyn’s first public high school. It was called Central Grammar School. The school opened in 1878. It was located on Court and Livingston Streets. The goal was to offer higher education to grammar school graduates.
The school quickly became too crowded. People in Brooklyn wanted a better system. So, a new building was planned. It was meant for both boys and girls. But enrollment grew so fast that it became Girls High School in 1886. The boys stayed at the old location.
In 1891, the schools were officially separated. A new building for the boys opened in 1892. It was on Marcy Avenue. It was named Boys High School.
Fast forward to 1975. The two schools merged again. Soon after, they moved to their current location on Fulton Street. This is now Boys and Girls High School.
James W. Naughton designed the original Girls High and Boys High buildings. He was the Superintendent of Buildings for Brooklyn’s Board of Education. Girls High is the oldest surviving high school building in New York City. Boys High looked more like a castle. It had red walls and high towers.
From 1986 to 2004, Frank Mickens was the principal. He helped the school become a college preparatory institution. By 1989, about 70 percent of graduates went to college.
Boys and Girls High School has many notable alumni. Isaac Asimov was a famous writer. Shirley Chisholm was a congresswoman and presidential candidate. Lena Horne was a singer and actress. Many successful people walked these halls.
In the early days of Girls High School, there were strict rules. No clubs or dancing were allowed. Two girls nearly got expelled for waltzing. Girls could not read fiction during school. They could not talk in the hallways. Things are very different today.
Boys High School had a school newspaper. It was called The High School Recorder. Students wrote stories and covered sports. In 1940, the editors met Walt Disney.
Girls High School closed in 1964. The merged Boys and Girls High School opened in 1976. It is located at 1700 Fulton Street.
Today, Boys and Girls High School continues to be important. It is a symbol of excellence in Bedford-Stuyvesant. It has a long and proud history. The school has overcome many challenges. It continues to serve its community.