How about a school with a story as vibrant as Whitney Houston’s voice? The Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts stands before you a beacon of education and artistic inspiration.
Originally known as Franklin School it opened its doors in 1873. Imagine children filing into this very building over a century ago eager to learn.
Whitney Houston herself attended elementary school just down the street. This makes the academy all the more special. In 1997 the school received a new name honoring the East Orange native Whitney Houston. It was a tribute to her legacy. Today the Whitney E. Houston Academy is the oldest school building in the East Orange school district.
But there is even more to the story. The original Franklin School wasn’t actually here. It was located on Dodd Street near Girard Avenue. Construction of that original building started in 1825. It concluded in 1832. The cost was a mere $233.93. That first schoolhouse was quite small. It measured only 1360 square feet smaller than many modern single-family homes.
In 1873 a new four-room brick building arose here. This land and building cost around $19000. The school expanded in 1883 and 1884 doubling to eight rooms. Another addition followed in 1898 after a $45000 bond was issued. By 1915 the school needed even more space. Another addition brought the total to over 20 classrooms plus an office and a 418-seat auditorium.
The Whitney E. Houston Legacy Foundation works with the academy. Together they foster growth in STEM and the arts. The Whitney E. Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts is more than just a school. It is a symbol of history community and the enduring power of the arts all embodied in a building that has stood for generations. It is a place where young talents are nurtured. It is a place where Whitney Houston’s spirit lives on.