| Built in 1955, this school was named for Horace Mann (1796-1859), the U.S. Congressman and education reformer widely known as the “Father of American Education.” Mann High School was first occupied on April 9, 1956. It was built as the new high school for African-American students, moving them out of Dunbar Junior-Senior High School, which then became solely a junior high school. Mann had 37 classrooms, a gymnasium and a cafeteria, and the cost of construction was about $926,000. Mann was recognized for its design by the American Institute of Architects. Additions to the original building were made in 1963 and 1965. In 1971 it was converted to a middle school (grades 8 and 9); it became a junior high in 1978 with the addition of the 7th grade. Mann became a science magnet school in 1983 (the arts magnet strand was added in 1987) and now offers magnet programs in the sciences and visual and performing arts specialty areas. Science students at all levels take a full-year laboratory science class in addition to all required core curriculum courses. Each student is required to complete a research project each year, including a display at the annual science fair in February. Arts magnet students take courses appropriate to their selected area of concentration: visual arts, drama, dance or music (band, orchestra, piano or voice). In 2001 a major portion of the school was demolished due to structural instability, and a modern new replacement building opened in January 2004. |
