Type Public high school Principal Trista Harper Grades 9-12 Phone +1 314-371-1048 Number of students 576 (2012–2013) | Established 1875 Faculty 32.0 (on FTE basis) Area 2 ha Founded 1875 | |
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Address 4248 Cottage Ave, St Louis, MO 63113, USA | ||
Sumner High School, also known as Charles H. Sumner High School, is a St. Louis public high school that was the first high school for African-American students west of the Mississippi River. Together with Vashon High School, Sumner was one of only two segregated public high schools in St. Louis City for African-American students. Established in 1875 only after extensive lobbying by some of St. Louis' African-American residents, Sumner moved to its current location in 1908.
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Population
As of the 2012–13 school year, the school had an enrollment of 576 students and 32 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 18
History
Sumner High opened in 1875, the first high school opened for African Americans west of the Mississippi. The school is named after the well-known abolitionist senator Charles H. Sumner. The high school was established on Eleventh Street in St. Louis between Poplar and Spruce Street, in response to demands to provide educational opportunities, following a requirement that school boards support black education with the radical Constitution of 1865 in Missouri. The school was moved in the 1880s because parents complained that their children were walking past the city gallows and morgue on their way to school. The current structure, built in 1908, was designed by architect William B. Ittner. Sumner was the only black public high school in St. Louis City until 1927, with the opening of Vashon High School. Famous instructors include Edward Bouchet. Other later black high schools in St. Louis County were Douglass High School (opened in 1925) and Kinloch High School (1936).
The St. Louis Public School Superintendent Kevin Adams went over a lot of options with students and parents about the problems of the school. He recommended that if Sumner made efforts and improved conditions they could continue to stay open. One of Adams ideas was to have Sumner alumni mentor current students, transfer troublesome students to different school, and set up achievable goals for the school year.
Athletics
Sumner High's mascot is the Bulldog. Sumner's 1969 basketball team won the Missouri Class L state championship and featured future NBA and ABA players Harry Rogers and Marshall Rogers as well as David Brent who was a 6th round draft pick for the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports that are currently offered are football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, track and field, tennis, and soccer.