George Rogers Clark Middle – High School

A bittersweet victory echoed through the halls of George Rogers Clark Middle/High School in 2021. Darrick Woods, a remarkable student, became the first African American valedictorian in the school’s history. He was also the last. George Rogers Clark Middle/High School, after 89 years of serving the Hammond community, closed its doors for good. Woods’s accomplishment, however, became a shining symbol of the school’s legacy. George Rogers Clark Middle/High School opened in 1932 to alleviate overcrowding at Franklin Elementary School. Initially serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, it transitioned to a middle/high school in 1975. Located on 119th Street in the Robertsdale section of Hammond, George Rogers Clark fostered a close-knit community. Its central location in a residential area contributed to a family-like environment. This made it both a safe and respectful space for students. The final graduation ceremony was undoubtedly emotional. While the COVID-19 pandemic had unfortunately disrupted many of the planned celebrations for the school’s last year, the significance of the moment was not lost. The final graduating class received their diplomas, marking the end of an era. George Rogers Clark Middle/High School’s closure was part of a larger restructuring plan by the School City of Hammond. Declining enrollment and the need to provide students with more opportunities prompted the difficult decision. Clark’s students transitioned to the newly built Hammond Central High School, a state-of-the-art facility with modern technology. A proposed land deal envisioned the redevelopment of Clark’s athletic fields into single-family housing and the main building into a mixed-use space with retail and housing. While the physical structure of George Rogers Clark Middle/High School may be gone, its legacy, embodied in students like Darrick Woods, continues to inspire.