The Howard School, one of 27 Hamilton County Schools recently awarded a Level 5 distinction banner, celebrated the accomplishment of students and teachers during its Homecoming this past Friday night.
Level 5 schools are those with significant evidence that their students exceeded the state growth standard. The Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) measures academic growth for districts and schools using a range from Level 1 to Level 5.
The district’s overall composite achieved Level 5–the highest level of academic growth.
“We are proud to see the extraordinary rate at which our students are growing,” said Hamilton County Schools (HCS) Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “Level 5 recognition is a testament to the hard work of our students and teachers throughout the 2022-2023 school year. We are honored to be able to celebrate this achievement of students’ success as we continue to ensure ‘Every Student Learns.”’
The Howard School is a public school, with 1,328 students in grades 9-12. It has a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1.
The school has a rich history, dating back to 1865 when it was founded as the first free public school in Hamilton County. It was named after General Oliver Otis Howard, who was the head of the Freedmen’s Bureau, a federal agency that helped former slaves during Reconstruction.
Howard School was once the only school where Black students could attend. Today, it is known as a culturally inclusive community. Class photos from 1927 through the 1980s hang in the school’s hallways, showing generations of Black students, even after segregation ended.
Notable alumni include: Rashad Jones-Jennings, professional basketball player; Joyce Mathis, soprano; Terdell Sands, professional football player; Johnny Taylor, Chattanooga Mocs and National Basketball Association player and Reggie White, football star and Hall of Fame member.
“A Level 5 for us is a public recognition of the fact that, you know, we worked hard ever since we walked in these doors here at Howard School,” said Dr. Leandrea Ware, principal of The Howard School. “I knew that it was upon us to prove the possible, the potential of the students in this building. So we immediately went to work, having a concerted effort of making sure that we provided not only the academic needs of our students, but also those wraparound supports, so that potential could come to fruition. And, so for our students, they know that we believe in then. And we’ve been telling them that every single day. So this achievement just confirms that for them. It helps to validate that they are students of excellence and that they can soar beyond measure.”