History / Our History

Our History

Douglass School has had an interesting and varied history. The land was purchased by the "School League" (a group of African American parents) for $4,000 and was deeded to the School Board. In 1941, ground was broken for the construction of Douglass High School. On completion, the doors of the first Secondary School for African American children in the history of Loudoun County were opened.

The original building consisted of four rooms. Since that time there have been two additions. In 1950, a science laboratory, home economics suite, and five classrooms were added. In 1960, a gymnasium, shop, cafeteria, and several classrooms were built.

Principals	Dates

Mr. George Liverpool	1941-1948
Mr. Ulysses Oliver	1949-1951
Mr. Stephen Sydnor	1952-1963
Mr. James Woodson	1964-1968
Mr. James McBride	1968-1969
Mr. Weldon Reeves	1971-1975
Mr. Frederick Hutchison	1976-1977
Mr. Joel Galperin	1977-1978
Mr. Wayne Griffith	1978-1979
Mr. Terrence Hill	1979-1985
Mrs. Laurraine Landolt	1985-2000
Dr. John Robinson	2000-

The building has provided service to many different populations since 1967:

Timeline	School Name	History
1968-1969	The Broad Run Annex	It was a school for 8th & 9th graders who would be attending Broad Run for the 69/70 school year.
1969-1971	The School Board Annex	It was used as administrative offices.
1971-1976	Leesburg Middle School	During this time it was a school for 6th & 7th graders from Leesburg, Middleburg, and Lucketts.
1976	Douglass Community School	After the middle school students moved on it became a school with multiple programs: an alternative high school, a special education center, and the Douglass Community Center.
1991	Douglass School	Housed at Douglass during this time were Douglass Alternative School with middle and high school programs, ESL, Early Childhood Special Education, Substance Abuse Education, Insight, and the Douglass Community Center.
1993	Douglass School	The STEP classes joined the above programs.
1994	Douglass School	Head Start classes joined the above programs.
1996	Douglass School	The Head Start classes are relocated.
2000	Douglass School	The Middle School Transitions Program and the GED Program were added.
2001	Douglass School	The ESL, STEP and Early Childhood Special Education classes are relocated and Douglass becomes the center for Secondary Alternative Programs for LCPS.
2004	Douglass School	The Saving 9 program is added.

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