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Riverside High School (Florida)

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox school

| name = Riverside High School

| former_name = Robert E. Lee High School (1927–2021)

| logo = Riverside High School Jacksonville logo.jpeg

| logo_size = 150px

| established = 1927

| type = Public magnet

| enrollment = 1,593 (2023-2024){{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=1200480&SchoolPageNum=11&ID=120048000648|title=RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL|publisher=National Center for Education Statistics|access-date=January 26, 2025}}

| enrollment_as_of =

| staff = 73.00 (FTE)

| ratio = 21.82

| streetaddress = 1200 South McDuff Avenue

| city = Jacksonville

| state = Florida

| zipcode = 32205-8098

| country = United States

| coordinates = {{Coord|30.307124|-81.703827|display=title,inline|format=dms|type:edu}}

| district = Duval County Public Schools

| superintendent = Dr. Christopher Bernier

| principal = Chris Koek

| campus = Urban

| motto = “Go Generals”

| nickname = Generals

| mascot = The Riverside Star

| colors = Lime green and royal blue
{{colorbox|#32CD32}} {{colorbox|blue}} {{Cite web|title=FHSAA Member Schools|url=https://fhsaa.com/sports/2020/1/28/member_directory.aspx|access-date=2024-03-09|website=Florida High School Activities Association|language=en-US}}

| yearbook = The Blue and Gray

| newspaper = The Traveler

| website = [https://www.duvalschools.org/o/rhs Riverside HS website]

}}

Riverside High School is a four-year secondary institution in Jacksonville, Florida. It was originally named after Confederate States of America general Robert E. Lee. Located in the Riverside and Avondale neighborhood, it is the second oldest high school in Jacksonville operating at its original location, after its traditional rival, Andrew Jackson High School. The name was changed to Riverside High School in 2021.

Riverside is part of the Duval County magnet school program. Eligible students at the school can earn concurrent credit through the Jacksonville Early College High School program. They receive high school credits from the school and college credit from Florida State College at Jacksonville (F.S.C.J) for the same courses.

Riverside students can also specialize in courses through the Engineering Academy or the Math and Science Magnet Program.[http://www.duvalschools.org/lee/magnet.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525130601/http://www.duvalschools.org/lee/magnet.html|date=May 25, 2010}} In addition, there is a Liberal Arts curriculum. The Early College, Engineering, Math and Science, plus Liberal Arts courses of study are known as the school's four learning communities.Dusinberre, Jaime L. Early College Assistant Principal. Robert E. Lee Senior High School. Personal Interview. 22 Nov 2010.{{original research inline|certain=y|date=July 2021}}

Riverside is one of 20 high schools in the Duval County Public Schools. Riverside, like all other district schools, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/school/robert-e-lee-high-school-fl.html |title=Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida (FL) - Test Results, Rating, Ranking, Grades, Scores, Classes, Enrollment, Teachers, Students, and Report Card |publisher=City-data.com |access-date=2018-02-04}}[http://www.duvalschools.org/static/ourschools/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218225157/http://www.duvalschools.org/static/ourschools/|date=December 18, 2010}}

History

Image:RobertELeeHSJacksonvilleFlorida.jpg

Architect Victor Earl Mark (1876–1948) designed Lee High School with William B. Ittner of St. Louis in 1926–27. Both architects also designed the similarly designed Andrew Jackson High School.{{cite web|url=http://www.jaxhistory.com/architects.htm |title=Staff - The Jacksonville Historical Society |publisher=Jaxhistory.com |access-date=2018-02-04}}

The school was dedicated to confederate general Robert E. Lee on his birthday, January 19, 1928. Jacksonville's three newly constructed high schools—Lee High, Andrew Jackson High, and Julia E. Landon High (named for a South Jacksonville teacher)—spread out students from the city's original whites-only high school, Duval High School (c. 1873–1927). Black students at the time attended Stanton High School, which moved to a new facility in 1953.{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727142135/http://www.oldarlington.org/PDFs/Newsletters/2009/Newsletter-200903.pdf |date=27 Jul 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sc.edu/library/spcoll/amlit/johnson/johnson1.html |title=University of South Carolina Libraries - Rare Books and Special Collections |publisher=Sc.edu |date=1938-06-26 |access-date=2018-02-04}}[http://www.stantoncollegeprep.org/central/?q=node/21] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625041512/http://www.stantoncollegeprep.org/central/?q=node%2F21|date=June 25, 2010}}Bigelow, Lee E. Public Schools of Duval County, Florida: Items of Fact and History Affecting Past and Present Conditions. Unpublished manuscript. Library Project Works Progress Admin., 1939. Jacksonville (FL) Historical Society Archives. Swisher Library. Jacksonville U. 35.

The main structure is notable for its beige bricks and top floor off-white stucco. It is framed by four gabled transepts, which in turn are framed by ground-to-roof stacks of alternating small and large cornerstones. The top floor stucco of the four transepts feature a coat of arms, in which a central figure reaches for a star on the left, while a tree occupies the right side. Also unique are the two front arch doorways, which sport an impressive amount of "radiating" stonework.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

The main building has an auditorium and a large courtyard. A field house was added between the stadium and the back of the school in the 1940s. Later, a first floor addition on the original structure's right side accommodated a meeting room, a cafeteria expansion, and the boys' locker room. The basketball gym was built to the right of the school, and the shop and music buildings were located behind the original building to the left at end of Donald Street.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Around 1964, the school board converted Landon High School to a junior high school. This made Lee and Jackson the two oldest Jacksonville high schools operating at their original sites.{{Dead link|date=April 2021}}

In 1965, a group of Lee students formed the band My Backyard. The band, led by singer Ronnie Van Zant, was renamed Lynyrd Skynyrd after coach Leonard Skinner sent guitarist Gary Rossington to the principal's office for wearing his hair long.{{cite web|author=Wailer Website Services |url=http://www.lynyrdskynyrdhistory.com/less2.html |title=The Official Lynyrd Skynyrd History Website - History Lessons |publisher=Lynyrdskynyrdhistory.com |access-date=2018-02-04}}

Lee underwent two desegregation cycles, with faculty integrated from 1968–71, then students in the 1971–72 school year.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bBQvmMnKmbcC&q=desegregation+Duval+county+schools&pg=PA77 |title=Keeping the Faith: Race, Politics, and Social Development in Jacksonville ... - Abel A. Bartley - Google Books |date=1960-12-06 |access-date=2018-02-04|isbn=9780313310355 |last1=Bartley |first1=Abel A. }}

In the early 1980s, the school constructed an outdoor pool between the gym and the original building. Before that time, the swim teams trained at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Pool, located about a mile north. Lee Pool is used by the athletic teams and physical education classes during the school year. In the summer, it becomes a free public pool operated by the City of Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

On November 24, 1986, Lee was ravaged by a fire that destroyed the library and many classrooms. The fire damage was estimated at $4.5 million. After the fire, the Robert E. Lee High School Restoration Committee was formed by Lee alumni to help raise money for restoration.{{Citation needed|date=April 2021}}

The cafeteria and the library were expanded during the restoration. In 1991, a new two-floor classroom building was built behind the original structure to accommodate the addition of Ninth Grade.{{cite web|url=http://www.schooldigger.com/go/FL/schools/0048000648/school.aspx |title=Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville FL |publisher=SchoolDigger.com |access-date=2018-02-04}} Lee had been a three-year high school since its opening in 1927. Part of the old shop building was torn down to make way for the new two-floor building. The field house was also expanded in 1991.

Lee was one of 11 schools nationwide selected by the College Board for inclusion in the 2006-10 EXCELerator School Improvement Model program. The educational partnership, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was designed to raise Lee's graduation rate and improve college readiness, especially among minority and low income students.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

In 2010, Lee's engineering magnet program was recognized as a Model Academy by the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC). Only 16 schools in the United States have earned this title.{{cite web|url=http://www.ncacinc.com/ |title=Homepage | National Career Academy Coalition |publisher=Ncacinc.com |access-date=2018-02-04}}"Lee Shines with Rare National Distinction." The Resident. June 2010. 4.

The engineering program also earned two honors from the Florida Engineering Society (FES). Jeffrey G. Cumber was recognized as the 2010 Teacher of the Year, and Lee won the School of the Year title. Cumber and Lee High School respectively received $500 checks from the affiliated Florida Engineering Foundation (FEF).[http://www.duvalschools.org/lee/new_pop.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107042057/http://www.duvalschools.org/lee/new_pop.htm|date=January 7, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fleng.org/k-12/images/announcements/2010-K-12Award-PressRelease.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-02-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726055809/http://www.fleng.org/k-12/images/announcements/2010-K-12Award-PressRelease.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-26 }}

=Architecture=

The campus reflects the Open Air architectural values of the Progressive Education Movement (1875–1955).{{cite web|url=http://www.faqs.org/childhood/Re-So/School-Buildings-and-Architecture.html |title=School Buildings and Architecture - Europe, Bibliography, United states, Bibliography - Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society |publisher=Faqs.org |access-date=2018-02-04}} The Progressives felt that schools should resemble the outdoors as much as possible. The numerous windows bring in a lot of natural light. So, the original building is less dependent on artificial lighting. This is one of the "green" advantages of historic buildings.

The original building's courtyard, roomy stairwells, and ample hallways give students a healthy amount of physical space. Before air conditioning was installed in the late 1980s, the natural ventilation helped the school "breathe." Students found the air temperature very comfortable from October to April. Lee was also given radiators for the winter. September and May were the only months when the heat and humidity were a consideration. The Open Air Style was a reaction to the dark, crowded, and poorly ventilated buildings that plagued poor school districts.

=Claim to oldest high school in Jacksonville=

Riverside, and Andrew Jackson are the two oldest Jacksonville high schools still operating at their original sites, with Stanton the oldest overall continuing secondary education institution in Jacksonville, starting as a Freedmen's Bureau-run school in 1868 for Black students. That facility moved from its original West Ashley Street Building to a new West 13th Street building in 1953.

=Renaming=

The school name was the source of considerable controversy as many found the use of the Confederate general's name to be a symbol of white supremacy.{{cite news |last1=Wadley |first1=Mindy |title='Robert E. Lee' signage removed from newly named Riverside High School |url=https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/education/robert-e-lee-signage-removed-riverside-high-school/77-17a3cfaa-93f4-48b6-8e6e-ad18b0e98c98 |access-date=13 July 2021 |publisher=First Coast News |date=July 1, 2021}} By 2021 the school district's board of education began considering giving the school a different name. As a result, some residents argued against renaming.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/03/25/robert-e-lee-high-school-renaming-jacksonville-florida-orig-jk.cnn/video/playlists/intl-from-the-us/|title=Residents defend Robert E. Lee High: 'Jesus himself never condemned slavery'|publisher=CNN|date=2021-03-25|access-date=2021-03-31}} There was an online petition that, by March 25, 2021, got over 15,000 signatures asking for a name change.{{cite web|last1=Peel|first1=Corley|last2=Muller|first2=Brittany|url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/03/25/lee-high-school-holds-final-meeting-to-discuss-potential-name-change/?fbclid=IwAR1LLcVdETIkSA2CL2cLqq-uQhj-iU8bjdtFgTyPIUI6qyKKhiwlc0odkUs|title=Final meeting to discuss potential name change at Lee High brings more than 100 people|work=News4Jax website (WXJT/WCWJ)|publisher=Graham Media Group|date=2021-03-25|access-date=2021-03-31}}

In April 2021, Amy Donofrio, a Riverside teacher who co-founded a program promoting juvenile justice, EVAC Movement, was asked to take down a Black Lives Matter sign in her classroom. After complaining that the timing was retaliation for live streaming white members of community meetings making "questionable comments" about the name change, she was administratively reassigned.{{Cite web|last=Bloch|first=Emily|title=EVAC Movement leader Amy Donofrio removed from classroom for 'several matters'|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2021/03/25/evac-movement-teacher-removed-jacksonvilles-lee-high-after-refusing-remove-black-lives-matters-flag/6999517002/|access-date=2021-04-17|website=The Florida Times-Union|language=en-US}} The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a lawsuit against Duval County Public Schools.{{Cite web|last=Bloch|first=Emily|title=SPLC sues Duval Schools on behalf of teacher removed for refusing to take down Black Lives Matter flag|url=https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/education/2021/04/16/splc-announces-lawsuit-against-duval-schools-behalf-amy-donofrio/7251846002/|access-date=2021-04-17|website=The Florida Times-Union|language=en-US}}

The Duval County School Board decided on June 1, 2021, by a 5-2 vote, to rename Robert E. Lee High School "Riverside High School." The school board estimated renaming costs to be $366,302, with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Nike coming forward to pay for the change for the school's uniforms and other related items.{{Cite news|last=McLean|first=Joe|date=June 1, 2021|title=Duval School Board approves renaming Lee High, five other schools|work=News4Jax|url=https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2021/06/02/duval-school-board-approves-renaming-lee-high-5-other-schools/|access-date=June 2, 2021}} The name change became official on August 3, 2021, seven days before the start of the 2021–2022 school year.

Enrollment

Total enrollment rose from 954 the first year to about 2000 in the 1950s. It generally declined to about 1,200 in the late 70s. It reached a low of 777 during the 1990–91 school year. After the incorporation of ninth grade in 1991–92, the total number of students slowly rose to a high of 1900 in the 2005-06 year. As of February 2011, a total of 1,732 students attended Lee.[http://www.duvalschools.org/reseval/Schools/SchoolResearchData.asp?School=33] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825144323/http://www.duvalschools.org/reseval/Schools/SchoolResearchData.asp?School=33|date=August 25, 2010}}

The racial composition of the school has varied since full integration of Duval County began in the 1971–72 school year. Robert E. Lee became a majority Black school in the late 1980s. Then, it was majority White during the years 1991–96. It has been majority Black since 1996–97.

{{cite journal

|url=http://www.law.duke.edu/magazine/2006fall/profiles/judge_bard.html

|title=The Last Unlikely Hero: Gerald Bard Tjoflat and the Jacksonville desegregation crisis – 35 years later

|access-date=2006-12-12

|journal=Duke Law Magazine

|date=Fall 2006

|first=William F.

|last=Jung

|volume=24

|issue=2

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212202129/http://www.law.duke.edu/magazine/2006fall/profiles/judge_bard.html

|archive-date=2012-02-12

}}

A total of 1829 students attended during the 2008–09 school year. Of that total, 63.6% were black, 23.3% were white, 6.5% were Hispanic, and 4.5% were Asian. One student was Native American and 36 were of unspecified ethnicity. The number of Asian students surpassed 50 in the 1992-93 year, but the group has fluctuated between a high of 82 and a low of 44.

Feeder schools

  • Westside Middle School
  • Ortega
  • John Stockton
  • Venetia
  • Eugene Butler/YMLA/YWLA Middle School
  • Central Riverside
  • S.P. Livingston
  • Ruth Upson
  • West Jacksonville
  • John Gorrie Junior High School (Former feeder school)
  • Lake Shore Middle School
  • Bayview
  • Fishweir
  • Hyde Park
  • Ortega
  • Pinedale
  • John Stockton
  • Ramona
  • Ruth Upson
  • Venetia
  • West Riverside
  • Springfield Middle School
  • (Magnet school is fed by all other magnet elementary schools.)

Athletics

The Generals have won 15 FHSAA state championships.{{cite web|url=http://leeathletics.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html |title=Athletics: History |publisher=Leeathletics.blogspot.com |access-date=2018-02-04}} The following sports are offered at Riverside:{{cite web|url=http://www.duvalschools.org/domain/2076 |title=Athletic Programs / Athletic Programs |publisher=Duvalschools.org |access-date=2018-02-04}}

{{div col}}

  • Boys Cross Country
  • State champs - 1947-1949 and 1967http://www.fhsaa.org/sites/default/files/orig_uploads/records/rec_ccb.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}
  • Boys Golf
  • Cheerleading
  • Football
  • Girls Bowling
  • Girls Golf
  • Swimming and Diving
  • Volleyball
  • Boys Basketball
  • State champs - 1930 and 1940http://www.fhsaa.org/sites/default/files/orig_uploads/records/rec_bbb.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}
  • Girls Basketball
  • Boys Soccer
  • Girls Soccer
  • Girls Weightlifting
  • Slow Pitch Softball
  • Wrestling
  • Baseball
  • State champs - 1945 and 1961http://www.fhsaa.org/sites/default/files/orig_uploads/records/rec_ba.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}
  • Boys Tennis
  • Girls Tennis
  • Boys Track
  • State champs - 1930, 1937 and 1943-1947http://www.fhsaa.org/sites/default/files/orig_uploads/records/rec_trb.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}
  • Girls Track
  • Fast Pitch Softball
  • Girls Flag Football
  • Lacrosse
  • Girls Lacrosse

{{div col end}}

Notable alumni

{{div col}}

{{div col end}}

References

{{Reflist|2}}

External links

  • [https://sites.google.com/a/whitewayrealty.com/whiteway-corner/robert-e-lee-high-school Robert E Lee High School Annuals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102000038/https://sites.google.com/a/whitewayrealty.com/whiteway-corner/robert-e-lee-high-school |date=2 January 2016 }}
  • [http://www.duvalschools.org/Page/256 Official site]
  • [http://leeathletics.com/ Athletics website]

{{Duval County Public Schools}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lee, Robert E.}}

Category:High schools in Jacksonville, Florida

Category:Educational institutions established in 1928

Category:Duval County Public Schools

Category:1928 establishments in Florida

Category:Public high schools in Florida