Crenshaw High School: A Brief History
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- Опубликовано: 17 июн 2024
- Crenshaw High School in South LA: A Brief History
In 1968, Crenshaw High School opened as a 25-acre flagship campus in South LA that would level the playing field between schools in black neighborhoods and schools in white neighborhoods. At the time, school leaders promised this school would reduce overcrowding, offer one-of-a-kind classes, and feature cutting-edge media technology.
Years later, the school battles with dwindling enrollment. How did this promising school result in a reputation for academic underachievement, gang violence, and championship-winning sports? And is that even still true today?
Special thanks to Rodney Lytle for suggesting this episode for the Recap.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:06 Making Room
3:16 Keeping a Promise
4:32 Under the Bus
8:24 The Resurgence
10:23 The Outro
Here's an article/radio cast of bussing in Los Angeles, and how it impacted inner-city schools, like many in South Los Angeles / South Central. archive.kpcc.org/programs/air...
Here's a snap shot the article that sparked so much attention from the Crenshaw High School Student Government Association - www.newspapers.com/clip/86699...
Here's the snap shot of how the Crenshaw High School Student Government Association responded to that cutting Times article - www.newspapers.com/clip/86699...
In 1974, Crenshaw High School enrolled 2,900 students. By 1985, the school’s population dwindled to around 1,800 students. Even with growing school pride and revamped offerings, the enrollment in 2012 fell to just over 1,200 students. In 2020, the Crenshaw High School enrollment fell to 750 student.
Here are the Crenshaw High School enrollment stats for 2012 - schools.latimes.com/school/lo...
The most recent enrollment stats for Crenshaw High School - www.usnews.com/education/best...
Crenshaw and Dorsey high schools had too few students enrolled for a proper football opener - www.latimes.com/sports/highsc...
More information on the $100 million renovation at Crenshaw High School - abc7.com/crenshaw-high-school...
Let's connect on the web!
Website: Ericmcraig.com
Instagram: / ericmcraig_
Twitter: / ericmcraig_
Reddit: / southla
Facebook: / thesouthlarecap
I was a graduate of the class of 74. I represented Crenshaw at California Boys State, played varsity football, Editor in Chief of the Cougars Path Yearbook, member of student government, VPoc the 11thgrade class, participated in cross cultural exchanges with other schools. Awarded the I Dare you award in Leadership and was accepted to4 different university. I was not alone many of fellow class went on to social, academic and professional success. If we wanted it achievement was there for the taking. I had loads of respect for the faculty members staff, custodian workers and the sweet ladies in our cafeteria. I thank all of them for their dedication Love and support to the Cass of 1974 50 years ago .
Man this is a instant classic I learned a lot from this segment you found a lot of old clips I couldn't find and covered every angle ...I appreciate this ...I believe this needed to be done for the culture and the community ....we got pride and love our beloved Crenshaw high and community thanks again for this masterpiece
Thanks so much, Rodney. This was a fantastic idea and I’m so glad that you brought it to my attention. The history of the school is dynamic and fascination-and I’m glad I had the opportunity to share it. I just wish I had more time to do it even more justice.
Glad you enjoyed it, though! And thanks again for watching
@@SouthLARecap Crenshaw High was featured on Mtv's hit show Parental control
@@LuannOsbourne Didn’t know about that one. I’ll have to look it up!
One of my favorite recaps so far. Keep them coming, I enjoy this channel so much. Thank you!
I really appreciate this. Thank you!
Wow, you have created an amazing channel. I graduated from Crenshaw HS nearly 50 years ago, but when I returned as a Substitute Teacher years later, I was disappointed in what that great institution had become and the caliber of the students who attended as well as the Administration which ran it. Nevertheless your reporting is fantastic and I look forward to your other videos. Like to see a documentary on the fight to break down the Housing covenants in South L.A, and the hero’s who lead those fights. After all this led to the rise of one of America’s most affluent Black communities first in West Adams then Leimert Park and ultimately Baldwin Hills. Also the evolution of Will Rogers Memorial Park in Watts is also rich in history and deserving of your excellent reporting.
Perhaps it is lost in the editing, I feel this is a conflation of history. "The Shaw" C-House, aka the jewel of South LA. has fallen from where it once was a bright spot in a troubled area. But, ask around the City, there is much pride in those that attended the "fashion show" and that pride doesn't come from a school that fell apart five years after it opened. I graduated in the '80s and although we were a Basketball powerhouse with many city championships and State championships. Crenshaw took City, State, and World in 1985! Not only were arts and performance strong so were general academics. Iris Stevenson taking over the choir from the late great B. Dunlap to M. Saunders one of the best English teachers in the district! In my three years, I never witnessed any violence beyond kids getting into fights occasionally. It was a relatively peaceful and prideful school. The decline may have started in the '90s and early oughts, but that is a far cry from the '70s!! After all, it's so hard to be a Cougar!
Thanks, Louis. I work with a pretty short time slot, so I’m never able to include everything. My goal is, at the least, to get people to understand the history of our region on a surface level. But I appreciate comments like yours, because they can add more depth than what I’m able to cover by myself.
Thanks for sharing this.
Maybe he went to Dorsey
I’m class of 98 I can assure you that the violence DID start in the 90’s. We was tearing shit up. 😂
Ayyyyeeeee!!!! Proud Crenshaw graduate here, c/o 2002!!! My Mother (Cynthia George) graduated in 1973, my Uncle (James “Buster” George- Baseball star) graduated in 1974, and Brother (Tommy Johnson- Basketball LA City MVP) graduated in 2000! We grew up off 54th & Crenshaw, but moved away in 1996, so we went ti Crenshaw while living out the district. I was getting ready to be bused from North Hollywood to attend, but we moved to Gardena. My Brother & I were a part of the Teacher Training Magnet so we cld attend, lol!!
I definitely learned some history from this segment. My Mom & Uncle went there while the neighborhood was changing and mentioned some of that racial tension. I remember my Mom mentioning a chant said at the school, “Fight, fight the Black against the White, if the Black don’t win we all jump in!” 😆 omgosh!! I still remember that after all these years!!
Shaw Pride all day!!!!!! 💙💛💙💛💙💛💙
I was in the world renowned Crenshaw Elite Choir, under the direction of Iris Stevenson (who came to Crenshaw in the mid-80s. Sister Act 2 was inspired by her and how she came to an inner city school and taught the kids performing arts, introducing them to all kinds of musical genres, and taking them out their neighborhoods and overseas on tour -France & South Korea were top destinations for years- winning Jamaican jazz festivals and medals at the World Choir Olympic in China). Crenshaw and her influence has blessed my life til this day! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽
Thanks so much for sharing this, Monique. It’s so cool to see how much pride your school’s Alumni has. It’s like you all made history!
If you got any more stories, please share them here! I want so many others to see what pride, joy, and talent came from this school!
Definitely!!!!! It’s a badge of honor!! 🥰 🙏🏽💗
I graduated from Crenshaw High School in 1990 and still keep in contact with my class and numerous others as “Shaw Dawgs” and “Shaw Dolls”! #Cougarsfolyfe
Class of ‘86 #ShawCity
Man. So much history. Thanks for sharing this. I also went to high school out of my own district in South LA. I'm still conflicted as to wether it's better to stay or leave the community.
Thanks for sharing this, Moses. It’s so crazy how much was pumped into this school-and how the tables turned on it.
But I definitely get how it can be so conflicting. It’s almost like you can’t have your cake and eat it to sometimes in South LA…lol
The video tops as a favorite! This video is a historical artifact.
I grew up in the area. My siblings and family members attended, and graduated from Crenshaw in 1976, &1979 when it was still thriving, I attended Crenshaw in1980-1981 then transferred to Centennial High to graduate in 1983 but, I believe, the low enrollment has a lot to due with lack of support and resources on the upper administrative side. My son Ronald Stovall attended and graduated in 2010 and my nephew taught there in 2019. I believe with the right leadership, it could be great again.✊🏽
Nope. Your wrong. I went there from 2003-2005. Teachers were passive and didn't give a shit. Security guards sold out and let you ditch. The parents of the older generation don't discipline their children. So that's why Crenshaw community is a mess. Garbage 🗑️ high school.
My dad, middle brother and sister all went to Centennial and my brother graduated from Centennial in 1983. I'm the youngest of my dad's kids and only child my parents had and only child my mom had.
Class of 2008, I have so many precious memories going to Crenshaw High.
Was there any whites there ? I'm curious to know.
@@tjs-_goated7449 In my class it was one he was bi-racial.
@@tjs-_goated7449why? why yu white ppl wanna be from here so bad?
💙💛C House 💙💛 class of 2012 I was in the choir and because of Ms. Iris Stevenson I have traveled the world. I couldn't imagine going to or graduating from any other school 💯
This is so cool!
I was in the Choir during my Senior year. Mama Stevenson and Mr. Tarver was a blessing.
Great job, again.
Thank you, Arnetta! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Crenshaw High School Legendary Coach Willie West Retires: VideoWebb🎥 ruclips.net/video/e3WYlgDT2jk/видео.html
Thanks for sharing this!
Can you do Locke high school next
I’ll look into this, too! I grew up walking distance from Locke
Nothing about the newvcomer program?? That episode was wonderfull
Eric, I taught in the L.A. Unified District for 33 years so I know a little about the Permit with Transportation, (bussing), program. When I taught at 111th Street Elementary, (Flournoy now) in Watts we had an entire wing of the school vacant. Many issues the school district cannot address enter in to this. Gang violence and general crime levels are high on that list.
Parents want their kids to be safe. Bussing is hard on the kids. Two to three hours on a school bus every day is not fun. But it is more fun than getting beat up, robbed or shot! I know that thousands of kids go to school and do not get beat up, but the news media don't say that. They magnify the problem for ratings. Parents are just trying to protect them.
Washinoshinduas - class of 1972 Crenshaw
What's your favorite part of the Crenshaw High School history?
Shaw Alumni C/O 82! Shaw Doll For Life
Can you do John C. Fremont High school next
John C. Fremont was actually one of my first history videos! ruclips.net/video/1gybSaJ098Q/видео.html
I missed it
My uncle went to this school. Also fun fact: This is the highschool Moesha went to
I had a positive experience in the 70’s
😮 I went to undergrad with you!
What was on the land before the high school?
Good question! There were homes on much of the land that the city bought by the city at market value through eminent domain
#ShawPride You left a lot out of good history this video I have no idea where you're from, but I'd love to walk you through the real Crenshaw High and not just the building.
That part
@@benettanealy i actually emailed him and offered to give him a tour he never replied. People believe what they want to believe he must’ve gone to Dorsey this is the kinda crap they do.
Do a recap of the only all male catholic private high school I'm South LA "Verbum Dei" lots of history and famous people graduate from there. It's. A succeed story in South LA. Built in 1962.
I just reached out to them. I haven’t heard back yet. But Verbum Dei has an amazing story that I would love to cover
@@SouthLARecap thank you for listening to my request 🙏
@@hernanviera3 I'm always listening out for new stories. The Verbs' history has been an astounding story to tell.
Need a more seasoned interpreter of the SOUTH LA..DYNAMICS...
Replace youngblood, to further inflect true History's...
I personally don’t like this report. There was much more to Crenshaw than these few incidents that may have occurred, but did not affect us as Students. I graduated from Crenshaw High School (won’t say which year due to confidentiality reasons) and to the contrary of your report, those days were the best days of my life. I enjoyed my time there and I learned a lot. Those few incidents that were reported, were just that…A very few. I was one of the first students that attended Crenshaw in the 9th Grade and I never encountered any Gang, Burglary, Bad Students during my time there. I lived in the neighborhood and walked to school every day with no incidents or problems. The neighborhood was good and safe; and although there was talk of Gang activity, it was not our classmates. It was outsiders…I never encountered or saw any of that. I was Junior Class Vice-President, Junior -Varsity Cheerleader, Senior Class Vice-President, Varsity Cheerleading Captain, and most Talented. I graduated in a class of 400 Students with an academic scholarship. I scored 1600 on the SAT test and graduated with A’s and B’s…I was also instrumental in raising funds for the Marquee. I still stay in contact with my Shaw friends , which I call family and I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we had so much fun attending Crenshaw and we support it as well. In fact, I married my High School Sweetheart from Crenshaw. I believe that the low Student attendance is due to the rise in Charter Schools in the area and the change in demographics that have affected the area. These negative reports don’t help matters either. So rather than give a negative report on Crenshaw High School, I suggest reporting the positive activities that occurred at Crenshaw and still do..
Hi @Karitaylor437,
First, thanks so much for watching! I never intended for this video to be a declarative piece on the Crenshaw High School experience. There are so many students with so many stories that there isn't a way that I can capture it all. In fact, I always encourage thoughtful comments like yours to help readers learn more about a topic, and I think you added something really informative here.
These brief history videos are pretty limiting on my part. I'm one person with a finite amount of time (outside of working, being a husband, and being a father); I only have access to so many resources that speak on the school's history; and there are literally thousand of sources that I have to skim and edit through to make these videos happen. I don't mean to list these as excuses, these are just facts that influence my work on way or another. And although I wish otherwise, these videos are never perfect. But they do incite conversation, compel people to share, and provide a starting point to individual research journeys.
One day I would love to revisit this brief history videos, but right now I am focused on filling a gap of superficial informative content on a digital platform that has not grown to include subjects like this. Again, thanks for sharing your story. I really hope comments like yours start more discourse about this school and its incredible value to the Crenshaw community.
8:39 I was in the choir and had the honor to sing for prince Charles and shake his hand one of the highlights of my life
Really? That’s so cool! Would you be willing to share some details here about that day for anyone who might come across this comment?
@The South LA Recap it was a great experience it was about 28 years ago but from what I remember we practice the song while they were setting up the set outside the garden area there were secret services on top of roofs on 8th Ave armed and helicopters flying around the campus then he walked through the garden as we were singing Prince of Wales songs he sat down and let us perform several songs for him then afterwards him and his peoples applauded us then he came and shook each and every one of our hands and complimented us and thanked us. Then he went to the Garden to check out the Homegrown vegetables and he tried the food from the hood salad dressing and said it was good and then he was leaving he said bye and thank all of us we sang one more prince of Wales song as he waved bye to us it was a great experience to this day he's the most famous person whose hand I shook.
@@krlm2280 This is an awesome account! I would have loved to see this event in person. You’re certainly very fortunate to have been there!
@@SouthLARecap yessir 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Do MANUAL ARTS
Stay tuned for this one!
I have a few dope stories you would love concerning my years there with a few celebrities and one of the biggest West Coast Producers 🤫
Homeboyy...yu are UNDER.INFORMED...THANKS FOR THE PHOTOLOG..
C77..pathfinder
SouthernLeague...1962..
1992...best Yeats.
Every Crenshaw High class comes. We don't discriminate. Contact Cynthia Jones Bell. Don't feel like you don't belong there. Come on every class to the "Function At The Junction"
I completely dis agreed with the whole busing of kids away instead of fixing the issue they just patched the problems as much as good kids got bus so did bad ones.
You’re right. At the end of the day it left our schools behind
@@SouthLARecap when my family moved to South Central from Huntington park it was a huge culture change for me because eve though we were only a few miles a part it felt like we were worlds a part due tho the demographics. I remember I had to be bused to Carson to attend an elementary school because my local school was always too full . I ended up being bus to Carson till I went to jr high. I had never experienced racial prejudice and class prejudice till I got to the middle upper class all black school in Carson .In south central the local kids welcomed me and never made fun of the shoes I wore or clothing I had on.I made my first black friend on the second day we moved there. One thing I will say no matter what color you were the spoil upper class made fun and picked on you so not even other blacks were speared.
The Mayor of Los Angeles doesn’t make it any better
Yt supremacy
Nothing about the newvcomer program?? That episode was wonderfull
Nothing about the newvcomer program?? That episode was wonderfull
I didn’t know about this! Would like to share something about it for anyone who might view this comment at a later date?
@@SouthLARecap in the 80's and 90''s was a program to inmigrams had the oportunity to get a acces a Scholl education i was one of them and was a beutifull part of My life