Hamilton High School (Memphis, Tennessee) Explained

Hamilton High School is a public high school in Memphis, Tennessee, located at 1363 E Person Avenue. Enrollment is 646 as of the 2019–2020 school year and the school is part of the Shelby County School District.

The school has a Junior ROTC program and requires a school uniform.^[1]

Hamilton High School graduates were among the Memphis State Eight that broke the color barrier at Memphis State in 1959.^[2] There was a clash between students and police during the Martin Luther King era.^{[3] [4]} In 2011 organizers rallied to save the high school from closing.^[5]

School colors are royal blue and white. Wildcats are the mascot, and the school motto is "Love Hamilton Absolutely".^{[6] [7]}

Former NFL player Curtis Weathers served as principal in 2015 and sought to transition the school into a Charter School.^[8] The school was part of a grade tampering controversy at several Shelby County schools in 2017 and had its principal demoted to a teaching position as a result.^[9]

97% of the students are black . Student scores are very low on math and reading proficiency state exams.^[10]

History

• On May 16, 2024, a fight broke out between two students at a graduation, which escalated into a bigger brawl between more students. This resulted a school security officer injured.^{[11] [12]}

Shooting incidents

• On February 5, 1982, a teacher who was collecting money outside of a school basketball game was robbed and murdered.^[13]
• In October 2004, a student fired a gun at another student but missed and no one was injured.^[14]
• On February 4, 2008, a student was shot in the leg after an argument by another student in a third floor classroom.^{[14] [15]}
• On August 15, 2012, a person from across the street shot at the students who hit the deck in the school's parking lot. The police believe the shooting was gang related. No one was injured in the incident.^[16]
• On April 20, 2018, a coach was shot and carjacked in the schools parking lot.^{[17] [18] [19]}

Notable alumni

• Big Ella, R&B singer^[20]
• Lois DeBerry, state legislator^[21]
• Young Dolph, rapper^[22]
• Al Henry, basketball player^[23]
• Keith Simpson, football cornerback^[24]
• Bernard Williams, football player^[25]
• Todd Day, basketball player^[26]
• Shawne Williams, basketball player

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hamilton High, Memphis, TN. June 2, 2021. Memphis School Guide.
2. Web site: Memphis State Eight Historical Marker. The Historical Marker Database.
3. Book: Garrow. The FBI and Martin Luther King, Jr.: From "Solo" to Memphis. Open Road Media. 1981. 978-1-5040-1153-2. 161. 915158153.
4. Book: Bond. Beale Street. Arcadia Publishing. 2006. 978-1-4396-1753-3. 143. 1100671114.
5. Web site: Jones. Tom. March 10, 2011. School's Out. Memphis magazine.
6. Web site: Homepage. June 2, 2021. Hamilton High.
7. Web site: Hamilton High School (Memphis, TN) Home. June 2, 2021. MaxPreps.
8. News: Roberts. Jane. March 27, 2015. Hamilton principal plans to file application to turn school into a charter. The Commercial Appeal. June 2, 2021.
9. News: Pignolet. Jennifer. January 9, 2019. Former Hamilton principal who lost job over grade tampering allegations loses her appeal. The Commercial Appeal. June 2, 2021.
10. Web site: Hamilton High School in Memphis, TN. U.S. News & World Report.
11. Web site: Fight between students breaks out at Hamilton High graduation. 2024-05-16. msn.com.
12. Web site: Fight at Memphis high school graduation caught on video. Fox News. 2024-05-17.
13. Web site: Feb 06, 1982, page 13 - The Commercial Appeal at Newspapers.com. Newspapers.com.
14. Web site: Police investigate shooting inside classroom at Hamilton High. actionnews5.com.
15. Web site: Police: Student shot during gym class at Memphis high school had prior dispute with suspect. Woody. Baird. Eagle-Tribune.
16. Web site: Students shot at outside Memphis high school. August 18, 2012. actionnews5.com.
17. Web site: Police: Man eating near Hamilton High baseball field has gun pulled on him, car stolen. April 23, 2018.
18. Web site: Hamilton High coach shot and carjacked at school. May 9, 2018. FOX13 News Memphis.
19. Web site: Two teens charged for shooting, carjacking Memphis Hamilton coach; mother of suspect says son was at home. May 10, 2018.
20. News: Burke . Bill E. . March 10, 1966 . Big Ella: 'I Like to Sing, Period!' . 16 . The Memphis Press-Scimitar.
21. Web site: A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Representative Lois DeBerry of Shelby County. . www.tn.gov . 14 June 2024.
22. News: Downes. Zachary. March 3, 2020. Young Dolph gives back to his high school. WREG. June 2, 2021.
23. Web site: Al Henry Stats. June 2, 2021. Basketball Reference.
24. Book: Sporting News. July 1985. 978-0-89204-188-6. 367. 1036862818.
25. Web site: Catching Up With… Bernard Williams . uga.rivals.com . 14 June 2024 . 19 July 2019.
26. Web site: Todd Day Returns Home . MemphisFlyer . 14 June 2024.