Howard High School of Technology

Vo-tech public high school in Wilmington, Delaware, United States

Howard High School of Technology

Address

401 E. 12th St

Wilmington

Delaware

19801

United States

Coordinates| 39°44′48″N 75°32′30″W﻿ / ﻿39.74667°N 75.54167°W﻿ / 39.74667; -75.54167
Information
Type| Vo-tech public high school
Established| 1928 (97 years ago) (1928)
School district| New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District
CEEB code| 080175
Principal| Kyle Hill
Teaching staff| 65.56 (FTE) (2023-2024)[1]
Grades| 9–12
Enrollment| 902 (2023-2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio| 13.76 (2023-2024)[1]
Campus type| Urban
Color(s)| Blue and white

Athletics conference| Blue Hen Conference \- Flight B
Mascot| Wildcats
Website| howard.nccvt.k12.de.us

Howard High School

U.S. National Register of Historic Places

U.S. National Historic Landmark

U.S. Historic district
Contributing property

Entrance of original building

Show map of Delaware

Show map of the United States

Built| 1867
Architect| James Oscar Batelle
Part of| East Brandywine Historic District (ID85003220)
NRHP reference No.| 85000309
Significant dates
Added to NRHP| February 21, 1985[2]
Designated NHL| April 4, 2005[3]
Designated CP| December 19, 1985

Howard High School of Technology is a vocational-technical high school in Wilmington, Delaware and is the oldest of four high schools within the New Castle County Vocational-Technical School District, which includes Delcastle Technical High School in Newport, Hodgson Vo-Tech High School in Glasgow, and St. Georges Technical High School in St. Georges.[1]

In 2022 it was designated an affiliated area of Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park.[4]

## History

[edit]

Howard High School, named for General Oliver Otis Howard, who founded Howard University and was the Commissioner for the Freedmen's Bureau from 1865 to 1874, opened in 1867 at 12th and Orange St. with educator Edwina Kruse as its principal.[5][6][7][8] Despite being a public school, Howard received very little state funding, particularly compared to white-only schools, and conditions rapidly declined.[8] For many years, Howard families appealed to the government for financial aid for the building, which had been deemed "hazardous to an extreme degree, although inadequate for instructional purposes."[9][10] In the early 1920s, businessman Pierre S. du Pont, who had a history of supporting education for Black students in Delaware, donated a swath of land in Wilmington for the purpose of building a new Howard High School.[8][11]

In 1953, Howard was the subject of Gebhart v. Belton, a desegregation case wherein parents of Howard students sued for the opportunity for their children to attend all-white schools in their town rather than the much-further-away Howard High School, which by this point had become run-down.[12][7] Gebhart v. Belton was combined with four other cases in the US Supreme Court to form the Brown v. Board of Education suit in 1954.[12][7]

In 1975, Howard High School closed and was replaced by the Howard Educational Park, then the Howard Career Center.[5] It sits adjacent to the original Howard High School.[7] The school settled on its current name, Howard High School of Technology, in late 1993.[13]

### Killing of Amy Joyner-Francis

[edit]

Main article: Killing of Amy Joyner-Francis

On April 21, 2016, Amy Inita Joyner-Francis, a female 16-year-old student at Howard High School of Technology was assaulted and killed by a fellow student, Trinity Carr in a school bathroom while two other students allegedly assisted. The incident was widely publicized and started controversy about the appropriate charges of teenagers involved in situations of school violence and assault.[14] Two of the students were convicted of conspiracy and one of the two was convicted of negligent homicide. The latter conviction was later overturned in a ruling that has faced some criticism. A third student was acquitted of a conspiracy charge.

## Academics

[edit]

This section relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this section by adding secondary or tertiary sources. (November 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

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In addition to 10 credits within their chosen program, Howard students must meet Delaware core standards: 4 credits of English and math; 3 science and social studies credits; 2 language credits; 1 physical education credit; and 0.5 health credits.[15] Each of the career programs has its own required courses, which allows students to gain the most contextual education possible.[15]

There are 14 career programs separated into five distinct areas at Howard:[16]

* Business, Communication, and Computers: Academy of Finance and Business and Computer Network Administration[15]
* Construction Technologies: Building Automation and Carpentry[15]
* Health Services: Dental Assisting; Medical Assisting; and Nursing Technology[15]
* Public and Consumer Services: Cosmetology; Culinary Arts; Legal Administrative Assistant; Legal Support Services; and the Teacher Academy for K-12[15]
* Transportation: Auto/Diesel Technology and Engine Technology[15]

Howard also has partnerships with higher education institutions such as Delaware Technical and Community College, University of Delaware, Wilmington University so students can earn dual enrollment credits as well.[15] In 2017, more than 90% of those enrolled in college courses finished them successfully.[17]

In 2021, Apple Inc. gave Howard a Distinguished School Award and they joined the iPad initiative, which gives each student a school-owned iPad to use for their schoolwork.[18] As of the 2022–2023 school year, students are no longer given iPads to complete assignments. Students are now given Chromebooks. Additionally, teachers no longer receive MacBook laptops. Instead Dell laptops are distributed. 2013, Verizon selected Howard as one of twelve schools in the country as an Innovative Learning School; teachers received an intensive, two-day crash course on how to effectively use technology in the classroom.[19]

## Athletics

[edit]

Howard is part of the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association and offers eleven varsity sport teams that compete in Blue Hen Conference, Flight "B."[20]

## Notable alumni

[edit]

This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article AND are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations. (November 2022)

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* Ralph E. Brock (1881–1959),[21] first academically trained Black forester in the United States
* Emma Belle Gibson Sykes (1885–1970),[22] suffragist, teacher, and civil rights activist
* Pauline Alice Young (1900–1991),[23] activist, historian, author, and teacher
* Louis L. Redding (1901–1998), civic activist and Delaware's first Black lawyer[24]
* Bubby Sadler (1909–1987),[25] late Negro league baseball shortstop
* Edward L. Loper Sr. (1916–2011),[26] artist and teacher
* Clifford Brown (1930–1956),[27] jazz trumpeter
* Richard Allen Williams (b. 1936),[28] cardiologist and founder of the Association of Black Cardiologists
* Stephanie Bolden (b. 1946),[29] member of the Delaware House of Representatives
* John Irving (1953–2015),[30] late basketball player for Hofstra and Arizona as well as teams in Manila, Anderlecht, England, Tel Aviv, and Groningen
* A. J. English (b. 1967),[31] retired NBA player
* Devon Still (b. 1989),[32] former NFL defensive end

## See also

[edit]

* Death of Amy Joyner-Francis

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Howard High School of Technology". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
3. ^ "Howard High School". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 2, 2007.
4. ^ "President Biden Signs Law to Expand and Redesignate Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park". U.S. Department of the Interior. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
5. ^ a b Frank, Bill (February 19, 1975). "Howard High plans best yearbook". The Morning News. p. 10. Retrieved July 10, 2021 - via Newspapers.com.
6. ^ "Gift of a Portrait to Miss E. B. Kruse". The Morning News. February 22, 1918. p. 8. Retrieved February 23, 2021 - via Newspapers.com.
7. ^ a b c d "Howard High School (Wilmington, Delaware) Founded". African American Registry. n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
8. ^ a b c "A Separate Place (The schools P.S. duPont built)" (PDF). Hagley Museum and Library. n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
9. ^ "High school two graded schools, city program". The Evening Journal. February 12, 1926. Retrieved July 10, 2021 - via newspapers.com.
10. ^ "Negros request two new schools". The Morning News. October 13, 1926. p. 11. Retrieved July 10, 2021 - via newspapers.com.
11. ^ "P.S. duPont gives new Howard High School to city". The Morning News. February 12, 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 10, 2021 - via newspapers.com.
12. ^ a b "Belton (Bulah) v. Gebhart". National Park Service. n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
13. ^ "Howard". The News Journal. October 14, 1993. p. 85. Retrieved July 10, 2021 - via newspapers.com.
14. ^ Lehman, Tom (April 21, 2016). "Classmates hold vigil for student fatally wounded in attack at Howard High School". WDEL. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Guide to course selection 2021-2022" (PDF). 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
16. ^ "Career Program Overview". n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
17. ^ "Go Further, Faster at the Award Winning NCC Vo-Tech High Schools". October 12, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
18. ^ "Apple Distinguished Schools" (PDF). Apple Inc. 2021. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
19. ^ "Howard High School of Technology in Delaware Recognized as Verizon Innovative Learning School". Verizon. July 23, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
20. ^ Greene, Sean (December 21, 2020). "Newark set to rejoin Flight A starting in 2021-22". Retrieved July 10, 2021.
21. ^ Williams, Rachel Jones (Fall 2007). "Reviving - and Revising - the Reputation of Ralph Elwood Brock". Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
22. ^ "Emma Gibson Sykes honored, with short biography. 1963". The Morning News. May 25, 1963. p. 24. Retrieved July 10, 2021 - via newspapers.com.
23. ^ "Biography of Pauline A. Young (1900-1991)". n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
24. ^ "Louis L. Redding honored with endowed professorship". University of Delaware Messenger. Vol. 8, no. 2\. 1999. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
25. ^ "1999 inductees". Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. 1999. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
26. ^ "The art of Edward L. Loper, Sr". 2007. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.691.8520.
27. ^ "Clifford Brown Legendary Jazz Musician". n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
28. ^ "Richard Allen Williams, MD, FACC". Association of Black Cardiologists. n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
29. ^ "Representative Stephanie T. Bolden (D)". n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
30. ^ "A Perfect Fit: 1973 Howard hoops squad made history". February 8, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
31. ^ "A.J. English". n.d. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
32. ^ Eichmann, Mark (May 29, 2016). "NFL player Devon Still reflects on Howard High death". Retrieved July 10, 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

City of Wilmington

Areas|

| Historic districts|

* Baynard Boulevard
* Brandywine Village
* Church Street
* Cool Spring Park
* Delaware Ave
* Shipley Run
* Wawaset Park
* West 9th Street Commercial

|

Education|

* Brandywine SD
* Christina SD
* Colonial SD
* Red Clay Consolidated SD
* Cab Calloway School of the Arts
* NCCVTSD
* Howard HS of Tech
* Charter of Wilmington

* Padua Acad
* St. Elizabeth HS
* Salesianum Sch
* Serviam Girls Acad
* Tower Hill Sch
* Ursuline Acad

| Closed|

* Delaware College of Art and Design
* P. S. Dupont HS
* Wilmington HS
* Charles B. Lore ES
* St. Mary's

|

Transportation|

* Wilmington station
* Wilmington Airport (near Wilmington)

Landmarks|

* Bancroft Mills
* Brandywine Park
* Brandywine Zoo
* Delaware Art Museum
* Delmarva Power & Light Building
* Daniel S. Frawley Stadium
* Grand Opera House
* Old Town Hall
* Howard R. Young Correctional Institution

| NRHP sites|

* Fort Christina
* St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (Wilmington, Delaware)

|

History|

* Timeline
* Race riot of 1919
* Riot of 1968

This list is incomplete. This template only lists high schools actually in the Wilmington city limits and not places which have "Wilmington, DE" addresses but are not in the city limits.

* v
* t
* e

Education in New Castle County, Delaware

Public
schools|

| Appoquinimink SD|

* Appoquinimink HS
* Middletown HS
* Odessa HS

|

Brandywine SD|

* Brandywine HS
* Concord HS
* Mount Pleasant HS

Christina SD|

* Christiana HS
* Glasgow HS
* Newark HS
* Delaware School for the Deaf

Colonial SD|

* William Penn HS

Red Clay
Cons. SD|

* Alexis I. duPont HS
* John Dickinson HS
* Thomas McKean HS
* Cab Calloway School of the Arts
* Conrad Schools of Science

| Closed|

* Wilmington HS

|

Smyrna SD|

* Note that Smyrna HS is located in Kent County

NCCVTSD|

* Delcastle Tech HS
* Hodgson Vo-Tech HS
* Howard HS of Tech
* St. Georges Tech HS

Charter|

* Charter of Wilmington
* Delaware Military Acad
* MOT Charter
* Newark Charter

Historical|

* P. S. Dupont HS
* Wilmington HS
* Charles B. Lore ES

Private
schools|

* Archmere
* Delaware Valley Classical
* Centreville Layton
* Padua
* Red Lion
* St. Andrew's
* St. Anne's Episcopal
* St. Elizabeth
* St. Mark's
* Salesianum
* Sanford
* Tatnall
* Tower Hill
* Ursuline
* Wilmington Christian
* Wilmington Friends
* Wilmington Montessori

| Closed|

* St. Mary's

|

Tertiary|

* University of Delaware
* template
* Goldey–Beacom College
* Wilmington University

Libraries|

* Hagley Museum and Library
* Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library

This list is incomplete.

* v
* t
* e

U.S. National Register of Historic Places in Delaware

Topics|

* Contributing property
* Keeper of the Register
* Historic district
* History of the National Register of Historic Places
* National Park Service
* Property types

Lists
by county|

* Kent
* New Castle (Northern)
* New Castle (Southern)
* Sussex

Lists by city|

* Wilmington (New Castle County)

Other lists|

* Bridges
* National Historic Landmarks

* Category:National Register of Historic Places in Delaware
* Portal:National Register of Historic Places

Authority control databases: Geographic |

* NCES

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