The Howard School documentary packs Tivoli in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee - The Tivoli Theatre was packed with viewers for a locally filmed documentary of The Howard School.

The movie, “Build Me a World: The Story of Howard School,” was created by Fancy Rhino through a MakeWork grant. The story followed several Howard seniors through the last school year as they moved toward graduation and parts of the filming was done by students that participated in the movie.

The audience, which full of Howard students, local boosters and civic and nonprofit leaders, gave the film a standing ovation.

Alexis Walton, who stared in the movie and plans to attend Tennessee State University this fall, said she has been thrilled by the response the film has received.

“I’m just speechless,” she said after seeing it for the first time at the premier. “It’s overwhelming, seeing where I was at the beginning of last school year.”

Howard Principal Paul Smith said he hopes the film will draw attention to the need at Howard and raise finally and moral support for students. Last year, the school was part of the state’s achievement school district and was named a failing school because of its poor graduation rate.



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A Milestone For Chattanooga's Howard School

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee - The new school year begins with plenty to celebrate at Chattanooga's Howard School, which is "making the grade" and exceeding other schools in several key areas.

Howard has been on several unflattering lists over the years because of poor grades and attendance. But you will be hearing and reading a lot about Howard School's remarkable turnaround for quite some time. It's all about having the right team in place to inspire young minds.

English teacher Kelly Greene is part of the right team. Executive Principal Dr. Paul Smith calls her and others "superstars."

"We have some of the best instructors in the district at this school and you have to have the best when you have the toughest population of kids in the schools," Dr. Smith said.

Dr. Smith and his leadership team challenged teachers like Ms. Greene by developing their skills above and beyond what's expected. So this year Howard School is no longer a "priority" or "focus" school -- words the state uses to describe chronically poor performing schools.

"It's wonderful because you see one of your lifelong dreams come true, you see that light bulb come on in front of your eyes, you see that child seeking knowledge wanting to learn more," Greene said.

TCAP scores are through the roof considering where they were and where they are now. The graduation rate is up from 24% to 88%. Students are so proud of what they've achieved they produced a 90-minute documentary titled "Build Me A World," highlighting the history, legacy and successes at Howard.



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History: The Howard School of Academics and Technology (Grades 9-12) was the first public school in the Chattanooga area. The name is drawn from Civil War General Oliver O. Howard, as is Howard University.  The Howard School was established in 1865.

The film, "Build Me A World" was created by Fancy Rhino with a MakeWork grant. The experiences of three seniors through their final year at Howard comprise the storyline. "Build Me a World" was produced in order to call attention to the school's historical significance as one of the oldest public schools for African-Americans in the US (1865), to the turnaround in the graduation rate from 20% to 88% over the last six years, and to the particular needs of the school for help as it seeks to prepare students from difficult circumstances for better academic and professional opportunities in the future.

Over 90% of the student body lives in poverty, and incoming freshmen typically enter with a third-grade reading level.  Students were not only subjects in the project but also participated in the filming process.  

Most notable alumni are:

• The late Reggie White - NFL Football star and College and Pro Football  Hall of Fame member
• Johnny Taylor - Chattanooga Mocs and National Basketball Association player
• Roland Carter - Composer-Arranger and Conductor, member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
• Rashad Jones-Jennings, professional basketball player

Howard school is split up into four academies. First, there is the 9th Grade Academy, in which all freshmen are automatically placed. At the end of a student's freshman year, they are required to pick an academy. They may choose between an Engineering/Vocational-focused academy, a IT-focused academy, or a Health/Human Services academy.

Another measure of that success is 94% of graduating Howard School students are now being accepted to a college or university.

There is hope for a better world in public education ...  (beepbeep)