Franklinton Elementary School (North Carolina)

Franklinton Elementary School is a public school for primary education located in Franklinton, North Carolina, United States. The multi-building complex was originally known as B.F. Person-Albion High School, which had educated African-American students, before schools were fully integrated in 1969. This school currently serves pre-kindergarten through 5th grade for students residing in the Franklinton area.

Buildings

The campus of Franklinton Elementary School currently consists of eight buildings, with the most recent one constructed around 2000. A description of each building and primary functions are shown below. These are subject to change.

• Building A -- administrative offices, library, computer lab (Building named in honor of Principal Ollie W. Burrell)
• Building B -- classrooms (4th and 5th grades), speech
• Building C -- cafeteria, specialty classrooms
• Building D -- classrooms (pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and 1st grade)
• Building E -- classrooms (1st through 3rd grades)
• Building F -- music room
• Building G -- specialty classrooms
• Max C. King Gymtorium -- combination of gymnasium and auditorium

History

The first building where Franklinton Elementary School currently stands was constructed in 1929 under the direction of Dr. Max C. King between South Hillsborough and South Main streets. It replaced the Franklinton Graded School for Negroes located down the street which had taught elementary school students. Nearby was Albion Academy, formerly a co-educational State Normal & Industrial School (trade school) for African-Americans founded by clergyman Moses A. Hopkins in 1879 which later became a graded school. This new building also educated elementary school students while high school students attended Albion Academy under a signed agreement by Superintendent G.B. Harris and Principal Dr. John A. Savage. The new graded school was named B.F. Person School in 1934, honoring Professor Benjamin Franklin Person who was first ever principal at the previous public school.

Between 1953 and 1956, more buildings were constructed at the current site which included a cafeteria, additional classrooms as well as a high school. On January 7, 1957, students and teachers from Albion Academy were transferred to the new high school. The school board renamed the facility B.F. Person-Albion High School in 1961 to recognize the consolidation of both schools. A gymnatorium (also spelled gymtorium), combination of gymnasium and auditorium, was built in 1960 and named in honor of Dr. Max C. King. Another building was constructed in 1967 which includes the current cafeteria and additional classrooms.

When schools were fully integrated in 1969, the upper grades were moved to Franklinton Public School which had previously educated white students. That building was renamed Franklinton High School, now called Franklinton Middle School as of 2013. The lower grades from Franklinton Public School were moved to B.F. Person-Albion High School, which officially became known as Franklinton Elementary School on August 5, 1969.

See also

• Franklin County Schools

References

• Franklinton Elementary School; Town of Franklinton (1992). A Walk Through History: A Town Called Franklinton Celebrates Its 150th. Edited by Cheryl Faye Hollar. Cypress Creek Publications. Library of Congress Card Catalog #92-003897.
• Franklinton Elementary School website. Franklinton Elementary School School: Credits, Retrieved Oct. 27, 2014.
• The Franklin Times: Back to School 2013. Franklinton Elementary School: Credits, Retrieved Oct. 27, 2014.

External links

• Franklinton Elementary School (Official School Website)
• Franklin County Schools