William M. Raines High School
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| William M. Raines High School | |
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| Motto: | "Knowledge is Power" |
| Established: | 1965 |
| Type: | Public Magnet School |
| Principal: | Nongongama Majova-Seane |
| Staff: | 92 |
| Students: | 1,600 |
| Location: | Jacksonville, Florida, USA |
| Campus: | Urban |
| Colors: | Silver Gray and Cardinal Red,with a touch of Navy Blue |
| Nickname: | Raines |
| Mascot: | Vikings |
| Website: | William M. Raines High School |
William M. Raines High School is a high school located off Moncrief Road on Jacksonville, Florida's northside. It is well known for its distinguished history and outstanding accomplishments in academics, athletics, activities, and service. Located at the corner Raines Avenue, on the North Side of Jacksonville, Raines serves approximately 1,500 students. The campus has been recently renovated to include a new administrative and science wing.
William M. Raines High School was the second historically black high school in Jacksonville, the other being Stanton College Preparatory School. The historic institution was named for William M. Raines, a prominent and very respected educator in Jacksonville. He was principal for Matthew Gilbert Senior-Junior High School for a period of about 12 years. His educational background included studying at Florida Memorial College, Edward Waters College, Florida A & M University, Hampton Institute and Columbia University. 1965 proved to be a monumental year, for it was at that time that Raines first opened its doors. A lot of students from Northwestern High School became Raines' Vikings. The colors, cardinal red and silver gray, were adopted as the school's very own. The faculty and staff also agreed on the motto of "Knowledge is Power." The first principal was Dr. Andrew Robinson. The science wing was named in honor of him. He was principal until 1970. Mr. Ezekiel Bryant, principal from 1970-72, Mr. Kernaa McFarlin, principal from 1972-1978, Mr. Ike James, principal from 1978-79, Mr. Jimmie A. Johnson, principal from 1979-95, Dr. Milton Threadcraft, principal from 1995-97, Dr. Roy Mitchell, principal from 1997-2002, Mrs. Carol Daniels 2002-2006, and current principal Nongongama Majova-Seane.
Student learning is the chief priority at Raines and is the primary focus of all decisions impacting the work at our school. Many of Raines' great achievements come from the hard working students who participate in clubs that help the community, as well as develop the strong characteristics students need in order to succeed in the 21st century. Raines also has one of the premier athletic departments in the state of Florida, where the sports programs have won numerous county, district, and state championships.
[edit] Improvement
Raines was one of 16 schools nation-wide selected by the College Board for inclusion in the EXCELerator School Improvement Model program beginning the 2007-2008 school year. The project was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
In the era of de facto racial segregation in the 1960's, Jean Ribault was an all white school and the community that it served at that time was predominantly white. However, as African Americans began to move into the area, the parents and policitians put pressure on the school board to do something. The school board not having the courage to do the right thing, chose to to continue supporting segregation. Enter William M Raines High School. The first "million -dollar school in Duval County, built for speicifically for African American children.
When it became clear that African American families would become a permant part of this previously all white community, the white families took flight, and in so doing, left the area with two African American schools, sitting less than a mile from each other. Northwestern High School (previously serving the African-American community in this suburban area) was converted to a junior high.
William Raines and Jean Ribault have a unique rivalry and relationship that is based on their physical proximity, unusual for two public suburban high schools. Both Ribault and Raines have established a reputation as athletic powerhouses. Raines has produced more professionals in the National Football League than any other high school in the nation. Starting with Ken Burroughs of the Houston Oilers and Harold Carmichael of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s and have continued the tradition. Among its alumni are Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs Brian Dawkins and Lito Sheppard wide receivers Kevin Youngblood, Harold Carmichael, Rod Gardner, and Derrick Gaffney, Jabar Gaffney and running back of the Oakland Raiders DeJuan Green.
