L. Frazier Banks Middle School

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L. Frazier Banks Middle School is a middle school in the Birmingham Public School System in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. It feeds into Woodlawn High School. The school, which is named for former superintendent L. Frazier Banks, occupies six buildings in a residential area in the South East Lake neighborhood. As of 2006 the school's enrollment is 482. The principal is Teresa Thomas.

The school was opened as a high school in 1957 and, at first, accepted only freshmen. The high school's first graduating class matriculated in 1961. The school's athletic teams in that 1960-61 season won the Birmingham city football, basketball and baseball championships.

In the early part of that decade, a U. S. Air Force F-86D "Sabre" painted in the school colors of Columbia Blue and Scarlet was installed as a mascot and landmark in front of the school.

In 1972 and 1973, Coach Shorty White led the Banks Jets to consecutive 4A state football championships. The school was recognized nationally as a football power, even appearing in the pages of National Geographic. Future NFL quarterback Jeff Rutledge led the team into a 1974 showdown with Woodlawn High School and running back Tony Nathan at Legion Field. The crowd was estimated at 42,000.

In the 1980s Banks was transformed into a middle school under the direction of Superintendent Cleveland Hammonds.

In October 2006 the Facilities and Technology Committee of the Birmingham Board of Education heard a recommendation from new superintendent of schools Stan Mims to close Banks and transfer its students to the new Ossie Ware Mitchell School which is being expanded for K-8. The recommendation would need to go through a process of community comment before being voted on by the board. If approved, the transfer could happen during the 2006 Christmas break.

[edit] Notable Banks High School alumni

David Cutcliffe (1972), football coach (Coached Banks HS in 1980-81 with 17-4-1 record)
Jeff Herrod (1983), NFL linebacker
Robert R. McCammon, writer
Johnny Musso, College Football Hall of Fame player
Jeff Rutledge, (1974), NFL quarterback
David Lee Smith, actor
Beth Thornley, songwriter
Billy Shields, (1971) NFL Offensive Lineman

[edit] References

Jordan, Phillip. (March 23, 2006) "Hitting the right note: Can neighborhood associations help fill the funding gap for city schools?" Birmingham Weekly.
Ingram, Ron (September 20, 2006) "Ex-Jets recall success." Birmingham News.
Hickerson, Patrick (October 3, 2006) "Banks Middle closing pondered." Birmingham News.
Archibald, John (October 5, 2006) "Sad, unsafe school once was mighty." Birmingham News.