Black Education in Charlottesville



The Reflector's coverage of education during the Jim Crow era portrayed larger issues in Negro education in the South. Teachers, school programs, and the acheivements and activities of students covered in The Reflector exemplify the interest of southern black communities in education (Anderson). Coverage of the Jefferson School,an African American school in Charlottesville that included primary grades as well as one of six accreditted black high schools in Virginia during the time, showed its emphasis on a tradional curriculum rather than one based on producing industrial workers. Like many blacks in the Jim Crow South, the Jefferson School community recognized the value of liberal education practice in promoting social and economic progress.

Numerous articles in The Reflector portrayed the support of Charlottesville's African American community for education. The "Jefferson School Notes," an occasional column in The Reflector, shared various student accomplishments and activities at Jefferson School, The activities depicted in the "School Notes" indicate the presence of traditional academic coursework and numerous clubs and organizations active within the school. Teachers' involvements were also noted in the "Jefferson School Notes" as well as in various other articles.

The Reflector's coverage of the African-American community's involvement with local education mirrored a fascinating trend in Southern African-American life. Southern African-American communities have a long history of supporting local schools and resisting attempts to weaken the commitment to liberal education. Numerous articles portrayed such genuine concern with local education and addressed the importance of meaningful community involvement. National issues that concerned Negro education were also covered in The Reflector.

We have divided the coverage of education in The Reflector into two sections: Activities at the Jefferson School and Larger Education-Related Issues Addressed in The Reflector. To access information regarding any of the topics, click on the appropriate heading listed below. Both sections include introductory notes and links to relevant articles as well as other applicable materials.


[ Activities at the Jefferson School][ Larger Education-Related Issues Addressed in The Reflector]


Project Home Page
Introduction
About the Editor
National Historical Context
History of African-American Newspapers
Charlottesville Society
Black Education in Charlottesville
Reflector Articles