Midtown High School, formerly Henry W. Grady High School, is a public high school located in

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

. It began as Boys High School and was one of the first two high schools established by

Atlanta Public Schools Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is a school district based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is run by the Atlanta Board of Education with superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring. The system has an active enrollment of 54,956 students, attending a t ...

in 1872. In 1947, the school was named after Henry W. Grady, a journalist and orator in the Reconstruction Era and a white supremacist. In December 2020, the Atlanta Board of Education announced the new name of Midtown which took effect June 1, 2021. Midtown is located adjacent to Piedmont Park at 929 Charles Allen Drive, between 8th and 10th Streets, in

Midtown Atlanta Midtown Atlanta, or Midtown, is a high-density commercial and residential neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. The exact geographical extent of the area is ill-defined due to differing definitions used by the city, residents, and local business ...

Areas served

In addition to

, the school serves

Inman Park Inman Park is an intown neighborhood on the east side of Atlanta, Georgia, and its first planned suburb. It was named for Samuel M. Inman. History Today's neighborhood of Inman Park includes areas that were originally designated * Inman Park ...

, Virginia-Highland,

Poncey–Highland Poncey–Highland is an intown neighborhood on the east side of Atlanta, Georgia, located south of Virginia–Highland. It is so named because it is near the intersection of east/west Ponce de Leon Avenue and north/southwest North Highland Ave ...

, Lake Claire,

Candler Park Candler Park is a 55-acre (223,000 m2) city park located at 585 Candler Park Drive NE, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It is named after Coca-Cola magnate Asa Griggs Candler, who donated this land to the city in 1922. The park features a nin ...

, Old Fourth Ward, Morningside-Lenox Park,

Home Park Home Park is a football stadium in Plymouth, England. The ground has been the home of Football League One club Plymouth Argyle since 1901.Atlantic Station Atlantic Station is a neighborhood on the northwestern edge of Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States comprising a retail district, office space, condominiums, townhomes and apartment buildings. First planned in the mid-1990s and officially op ...

Ansley Park Ansley Park is an intown residential district in Atlanta, Georgia, located just east of Midtown and west of Piedmont Park. When developed in 1905-1908, it was the first Atlanta suburban neighborhood designed for automobiles, featuring wide, win ...

, 10th and Home, the designated family housing unit of

Georgia Tech The Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech or, in the state of Georgia, as Tech or The Institute, is a public research university and institute of technology in Atlanta, Georgia. Established in 1885, it is part of ...

, and parts of

Downtown Atlanta Downtown Atlanta is the central business district of Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The larger of the city's two other commercial districts ( Midtown and Buckhead), it is the location of many corporate and regional headquarters; city, county ...

. Elementary schools feeding into Midtown High are: Centennial Place, Mary Lin, Hope-Hill, Morningside, and Springdale Park. The Samuel M. Inman Middle School also feeds into Midtown.

History

Initially known as Boys High School, it had a Technical Department which expanded in 1909 to become a separate school: Tech High. The "Henry W. Grady Senior High School for Boys" moved to the current campus site in 1924. The 1924 structure (the wing of the campus facing Charles Allen Dr.) still stands, and has been renovated three times (1950, 1987, and 2004). Between 1909 and 1924, Tech High also moved to the campus' current location. Tech High and Boys High merged in 1947 under the name

Henry Woodfin Grady Henry Woodfin Grady (May 24, 1850 – December 23, 1889) was an American journalist and orator who helped reintegrate the states of the Confederacy into the Union after the American Civil War. Grady encouraged the industrialization of the Sout ...

High School. Grady served as the communication

magnet A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field. This magnetic field is invisible but is responsible for the most notable property of a magnet: a force that pulls on other ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, steel, nicke ...

in the Atlanta Public Schools system from 1991 until 2011, when the school closed the magnet following a system-wide grant from the

Gates Foundation The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), a merging of the William H. Gates Foundation and the Gates Learning Foundation, is an American private foundation founded by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates. Based in Seattle, Washington, it was ...

to open small learning communities. From 2011 to 2015, Grady was home to four small learning communities: Communications and Journalism, Public Policy and Justice, Business and Entrepreneurship, and Biomedical Science and Engineering. In 2015, Grady High School course offerings expanded to include the following pathways: Advanced Academic, World Languages, Fine Arts, Instrumental Music, Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, and Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE). In 2016–17, it was used during the production of the 2017 Marvel Studios film '' Spider-Man: Homecoming'', which is set in the

Marvel Cinematic Universe The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an American media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films are based on characters that appear in American comic books published by ...

(MCU).

Controversy over name

In January 2016, Henry W. Grady Middle School in

Houston Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 i ...

was renamed because Grady was a

white supremacist White supremacy or white supremacism is the belief that white people are superior to those of other races and thus should dominate them. The belief favors the maintenance and defense of any power and privilege held by white people. White s ...

. In February 2016, the school newspaper argued that Henry Grady's name should be removed from the school because he was a

. In July 2020, the

Atlanta Board of Education The Atlanta Board of Education is the governing body of Atlanta Public Schools. The board has nine members: six are elected by geographical districts and three are elected citywide. All serve four-year terms. While the board establishes and appro ...

formed a committee to consider a new name. On December 15, 2020, the Board officially announced the name change to Midtown High School effective June 1, 2021.

Curriculum and activities

Arts

Knights of Sound

The school has a band, Knights of Sound Band (made of a marching band, a concert/symphonic band, and a jazz band).

Chorus

The school also has a chorus.

School publications

''The Unmasking''

''The Unmasking'' literary magazine was founded in 1988 as a collection of student art, literature, and criticism edited by Midtown students, published every spring. The magazine was named "Best in Show" by the National Scholastic Press Association twice, in 2005 (Seattle) and 2001 (Boston).

''The Southerner''

''The Southerner'' is a monthly newspaper written by Midtown students. Part of the

High School National Ad Network The American Society of News Editors (ASNE) was a membership organization for editors, producers or directors in charge of journalistic organizations or departments, deans or faculty at university journalism schools, and leaders and faculty of ...

, it has been published since 1947. ''The Southerner'' has won numerous awards, such as the Pacemaker Award and the Quill & Scroll Award, earning the publication nationwide acclaim.

''GNN'' and ''Gametime''

''Grady News Now'' and Gametime were Midtown High School's programs in broadcast journalism, and are also recipients of many awards. GNN won its first Pacemaker in November 2005. Gametime is a weekly show dedicated to the coverage of prevalent sports stories as well as scores and highlights from all scholastic athletic events. It won the GSPA (Georgia Scholastic Press Association) award for the best new breakthrough production.

''Nexus''

''Nexus'', written by Midtown students, was a bimonthly magazine. Its success in the 2004–2005 school year was at first limited, with only a handful of editions, as that was its first year and it started late. Its second year (2005–2006) saw great success when Nexus gained the Start-Up achievement award from the Georgia Scholastic Press Association. In the 2008–2009 school year Nexus won "All Southern" from SIPA.

Sports

:''As of the 2021–22 season.'' Key: * Fall sports ** Water polo - boys' and girls'; girls 3rd place in state, 2013 ** Cheerleading (2006 Regional Champions) ** Cross-country (boys: 2017 Regional Champions; 2017 APS city champions; 2005 Regional Champions; 2003 2nd at state; 2009 APS city champions, 2010 APS city champions, 2011 APS city champions; 2016 APS city champions, 2018 APS city champions, 2019 APS city champions, 2019 2nd at regionals; 2019 3rd at state; girls: 2017 Regional Champions; 2017 APS City Champions) ** Football – varsity and junior varsity (1953 State Champions, 2016 Regional Champions, 2014 Regional Champions, State Football Semi-Finals) ** Softball ** Volleyball * Winter sports ** Swimming - girls 2014 City Champs, boys 2014 City 2nd Place ** Basketball – boys' and girls' varsity and JV (2006 Regional Champion Runner-up) ** Cheerleading (2006 Regional Champion) ** Debate – novice, JV and varsity (see below, under "Speech and Debate") ** Riflery – co-ed * Spring sports ** Baseball – varsity and JV ** Golf ** Lacrosse - varsity (boys and girls) ** Soccer (boys: 2004, 2005 Regional Champions; girls: first state playoff win ever in 2006, Final Four in 2007) - Grady soccer teams compete in region 5-AAA. ** Tennis (varsity boys: 2017,2018, 2019 6AAAAA Region Champions, 2019 AAAAA State Runner Up) ** Track (girls, 1988 State Champions, 2013 Atlanta City Champions; boys, 2000, Team 3rd State Class AA, 2001, Team 3rd State Class AA, 2002 Team Region Runner-up, 2003, Team 3rd State Class AA, 2005, Team Class AA State Runner-up, 2007, State runner-up and nationally ranked 4x100 relay, 2011 Atlanta City Champions, 2012 Atlanta City Champions) ** Ultimate frisbee - boys' and girls' varsity and JV (2012, 2017, 2018, 2019 varsity Boys state champions, 2017 Varsity Boys Southeast-Region Champions, 2018 Varsity Boys National Champions)

Clubs and extracurricular activities

* 21st Century Leaders (Leadership Skill Building and Community Service) *500 Women Scientists *Academic Decathlon *American Sign Language Club *Apiculture (Beekeeping) Club * BETA Club *Black Student Union *Book Club *Chorus *DECA (emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management) *E Sports * Earth Club * Fashion Club, with an annual fashion show * FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) * Film Discussion Club *French Club * Future Teachers of America (FTA) *Grady Gay-Straight Alliance *Girls Who Code *Grady Corps (Photography/Social Media) *HOSA (Future Health Professionals) *IGNITE *Jazz Band *Jewish Student Union * JROTC, Citywide JROTC Drill Team Competition: 1st Place – Color Guard Team; 2nd Place – Standard Drill Team, 1st Place Veterans Day Parade * Latin Club *Marching Band * Mock Trial - The team won the State Championship in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2017. The team placed 14, 16, 8, 3, 4, and 3 at the National Championship in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2017 respectively. The team has won the Metro Atlanta Regional competition for 12 years in a row. They also won an International Invitational Competition in New York in October 2010. *March For Our Lives * Model U.N. - numerous individual awards at the Georgia State University competition *Moot Court *MSA (Muslim Students Association) *National Black Society of Engineers *Orchestra *PRISM (a GSA affiliate) * Quiz Bowl (NAQT High School Nationals qualifier) * Robotics Team ("G3 Robotics") **

FIRST Robotics Competition FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is an international high school robotics competition. Each year, teams of high school students, coaches, and mentors work during a six-week period to build robots capable of competing in that year's game that weig ...

: *** 2005 **** Rookie All Star Award, Peachtree Regional **** Regional Finalist, Peachtree Regional *** 2011 **** Finalist, Peachtree Regional *** 2013 **** Imagery Award in honor of Jack Kamen, Palmetto Regional *** 2014 **** Imagery Award in honor of Jack Kamen, Peachtree Regional *** 2015 **** Winner, 2015 Georgia Southern Classic Regional *** 2016 **** Chairman's Award, 2016 Columbus District *** 2017 **** Winner, 2017 Gainesville District **** Winner, 2017 Columbus District *** 2018 **** Winner, 2018 Albany District **** Winner, 2018 Duluth District **** Chairman's Award, 2018 Duluth District **** Winner, 2018 Peachtree District District Championship ** G3 Drones for Good ** VEX - 2005 International Championship 1st place ** BEST Robotics Competition - 2006 Regional 2nd place; awards for most elegant design, best shirt design, most photogenic robot, and Founders Award for best conceptual design ** MATE ROV Challenge *SenseAbility ATL *SGA (Student Government Association) * Speech and Debate ("Jesters") ** Public Forum, Policy Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate, Extemporaneous Speech, Impromptu, Oratory, Informative, Prose Poetry, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, and Duo Interpretation ** GFCA State Champions: 2009-2021 (all years the sweepstakes award at the tournament has been offered) * Students for Voter Registration *Theatre & Drama *TSA (Technology Student Association *Women in Transportation (STEM)

Demographics of student body

As of October 2021, the school had 1,473 students. * 44% were

African-American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ensl ...

. * 42% were

Caucasian Caucasian may refer to: Anthropology *Anything from the Caucasus region ** ** ** ''Caucasian Exarchate'' (1917–1920), an ecclesiastical exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Caucasus region * * * Languages * Northwest Caucasian l ...

. * 5% were

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties forme ...

. * 7% were multiracial. * 8% were

Asian Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...

In popular culture

Several rap videos have been shot on campus, including videos by popular artists

Dem Franchize Boyz Dem Franchize Boyz was an American hip hop group from Atlanta, signed to E1 Music. The group had four members: Parlae (born Maurice Gleaton), Pimpin' (Jamal Willingham), Jizzal Man (Bernard Leverette), and Buddie (Gerald Tiller). They were best ...

Freak Nasty Eriq Timmons, professionally known as Freak Nasty, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer from New Orleans La. He was raised in New Orleans. He is best known for his Top 40 single " Da' Dip" released in 1996 which was a sl ...

, and Outkast. In 2011, the campus hosted MTV's hit show ''

Teen Wolf ''Teen Wolf'' is a 1985 American coming-of-age romantic fantasy comedy film directed by Rod Daniel and written by Jeph Loeb and Matthew Weisman. Michael J. Fox stars as the title character, a high school student whose ordinary life is chang ...

'' as it made its television debut. Several movies have been shot on campus, including ''

Remember the Titans ''Remember the Titans'' is a 2000 American biographical sports film produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Boaz Yakin. The screenplay, written by Gregory Allen Howard, is based on the true story of coach Herman Boone, portrayed by Denze ...

'', ''

Ride Along A ride-along is an arrangement for a civilian to spend a shift in the passenger seat of an emergency vehicle, observing the work day of a police officer, firefighter, or paramedic. Ride-alongs are offered by many police departments around the wor ...

'', ''

The Duff ''The DUFF'' (teen slang for "Designated Ugly Fat Friend") is a 2015 American high school teen comedy film directed by Ari Sandel. The screenplay by Josh Cagan was based on the 2010 novel of the same name by Kody Keplinger. The film stars Mae ...

'', Love, Simon, and '' Spider-Man: Homecoming''.

Notable alumni

The following are notable alumni of Boys High (pre-1947), Henry W. Grady High (1947-2021) or Midtown High (2021-present), listed with their graduating class and notable accomplishments:

References

External links

Midtown High School
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grady Atlanta Public Schools high schools Magnet schools in Georgia (U.S. state) Educational institutions established in 1872 1872 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)