Search results
The William Syphax School historically served African American students. It was named for William Syphax, the first president of the Board of Trustees of Colored Schools of Washington and Georgetown. He supported the notion of a unified public school system and supported equal educational standards.
William Syphax was the first African American appointed to the Board of Trustees for Colored Schools in the city, which was established after emancipation in DC during 1862. He served on the board from 1868 to 1871 as its chairman and later, the treasurer.
He is the namesake of William Syphax School (historical) at 1322 Half Street, SW in Washington, D.C. In November 2020, District of Columbia Public Schools announced that William Syphax was one of seven finalists to serve as a replacement name for Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. [9]
The William Syphax School is one of several elegant public school buildings designed by the local firm of Marsh and Peter in the District of Columbia between 1900 and 1910. It is located on the eastern edge of the Southwest Quadrant, an area traditionally inhabited by African Americans.
The William Syphax School, at 1360 Half St. SW, is a two-story brick school in the Colonial Revival style. It was built in 1904 and used as a school up until 1994. In 2005, it was acquired by the non-profit developer Manna, and turned into affordable condo units as Syphax Village.
In November of 1870 he organized the Preparatory High School for Colored Youth in the basement of the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church which became Dunbar High School of the Disctrict of Columbia in 1916. He named and supervised the building of the Abraham Lincoln, Thaddeus Stevens, and Charles Sumner Schools.
17 de jul. de 2019 · William Syphax Public School, built in 1902 to serve African American children under the city's then-segregated school system, honored the first president of the Board of Trustees of the DC Colored Schools.
