Sumner Academy of Arts & Science

Sumner Academy of Arts and Science is a nationally ranked magnet school in Kansas City, Kansas which prepares students for high-level academic and creative pursuits. Named for abolitionist Charles Sumner, it started in 1905 during a period of racial tension as a segregated school for black ("Negro") students, which offered vocational training, but emphasized college-preparatory training. Located at 1610 N. 8th Street,^[8] the current architecturally significant complex began with its Art Deco core in 1937, but has been repeatedly expanded. The segregated Sumner High School closed in 1978, converting at that time to its present high-challenge magnet program. Sumner typically ranks high in national ratings of secondary schools.

History

Sumner's origins can be traced to a death in a racially charged environment. On April 4, 1904, Roy Martin, a white student at Kansas City, Kansas High School was shot and killed at Kerr Park. An African American named Louis Gregory was accused and arrested. The night of his arrest, a lynch mob gathered, and a group of African American citizens prevented the mob from breaking into the jail to take Gregory from custody. Gregory was subsequently convicted of first degree murder.

The morning after the shooting, all African American students were blocked from entering the high schools by white students and white citizens. Many whites agitated for segregated schools. For some time, white students attended classes at Kansas City Kansas High School in the morning, while black students attended in the afternoon. In this desperate situation, some African American and white citizens eventually decided to petition the Kansas legislature to change the law prohibiting segregated high schools, requesting an allowance for a segregated high school in Kansas City, Kansas. On February 22, 1905, the Kansas Legislature passed such a bill, which was reluctantly signed by the governor.

In 1905 Sumner high school opened, the first de jure segregated high school in the state of Kansas. Students moved from the old Kansas City High School and the old Central High School in Kansas City.

The original school was named Manual Training High School and built at the corner of 9th and Washington Boulevard. After objections to that name from the black community, the name of Sumner was chosen instead to honor Charles Sumner (1811–1884), a member of the United States Senate from 1851 to 1874. Charles Sumner had been very strong abolitionist and a leader of the Radical Republicans who had fought for the rights of the black people during Reconstruction.

In 1932, a small plot on northwest corner of 8th and Oakland was purchased which now houses the current Sumner Academy. The current complex of buildings began in 1937.

In 1978 Sumner High School was officially closed as Sumner High School. Students were reassigned as part of court-ordered desegregation mandating busing for African-American students to new schools, and giving all district students the option of whether or not to attend the new school. It was reopened as 'Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences', a magnet school for highly motivated and academically talented students.

In 2003, Sumner won a prestigious national award - Sumner Academy received the U.S. Dept of Education's NCLB - Blue Ribbon Schools Award for its scores on the Kansas state assessments, making it just one of four schools in Kansas to earn the distinction. In 2004, Sumner received a "Great IDEAS" grant (funded/sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Fund) for the 2004-05 school year, which encourages teachers in SLC (Small Learning Communities) to work together to develop innovative programs and projects to improve student learning. In the summer of 2005 (July 20–24), Sumner High School, later Sumner Academy of Arts & Science, celebrated its 100th Anniversary since students first walked through the doors at 9th and Washington Boulevard.

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Academics

Sumner Academy maintains high behavioral and academic standards for its students. Students must receive a letter of acceptance before enrolling at Sumner Academy and once enrolled are required to maintain GPA of 2.5 or higher to continue to attend.

One factor responsible for Sumner Academy’s rigorous academic standing is its participation in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program which is based on a 5.0 scale. Sumner began offering students the opportunity to participate in the IB program in 1987. The academy offers 20 different IB classes and over one-third of the faculty have received extensive IB training. Although only juniors and seniors are eligible to take IB classes, the effect of the IB program permeates the Sumner Academy curriculum at all grade levels. Ninth and tenth graders often take pre-IB courses with the anticipation of enrolling in future IB work. Students have the opportunity to take International Baccalaureate coursework and exams. The IB participation rate at Sumner Academy of Arts & Science is 97 percent. The student body makeup is 41 percent male and 59 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 79 percent. Sumner Academy of Arts & Science is 1 of 6 high schools in the Kansas City.

In the May 16, 2005 issue of Newsweek Magazine, Sumner Academy was named 75th in the "100 Best High Schools in America." This was the second time Sumner Academy was placed on the list. In 2004, Sumner Academy was listed in 99th place. As of 2008, Sumner Academy was named the 183rd best high school in America by Newsweek Magazine. As of December 2009 Sumner Academy was ranked the 69th best high school in the nation, reported by U.S. News & World Report,^[9] making Sumner the only high school in the state of Kansas to make the top 100 list.

Extracurricular activities

The extracurricular activities offered at Sumner Academy are fairly small and limited due to the school's small size. As of the 2009/2010 school year, the Sabres and Lady Sabres are classified as a 5A school, according to the KSHAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association). Throughout its history, Sumner Academy has won a few state championships in various sports. Sumner offers both athletic and non-athletic activities.

Football

In November 2008, the Sumner Academy football team made it to the Kansas State playoffs for the first time in a decade. In 2010, Sumner Academy recorded its best record in school history at 9-2, as it made the Kansas State playoffs for the second consecutive time and won the Kansas City, Kansas League Championship for the first time in 20 years. In 2009, Sumner Academy won back to back KCK League Championship titles, appeared in the Kansas State playoffs, and finished with a record of 6-4.

Wrestling

In February 2008, Sumner Academy senior wrestlers Jerry Cox and Malcolm Sharp placed at state. In 2009, the wrestling team was recognized as league champions. In 2014, the wrestling team was recognized as league champions. In 2014, Sumner Academy senior wrestler Donte Boose won 4A 126lb state championship.

Bowling

In March 2007, the Lady Sabres bowling team defeated Bishop Carroll Catholic High School to win the 4A state championship. In 2009, Christian Smith was recognized as the 5A state individual bowling champion.^[10]

Boys' Basketball

The 1998 The Boy Basketball Team won the Huron League Championship and also won the State Championship. The 2000 Boys basketball team won the State championship.

The 2009 boys' basketball team won the Kansas City Kansas League with an 8-0 record. They also won the Spring Hill and Blue Valley tournaments. In addition, the team won sub-state. In 2010 and 2011, the basketball team defeated Ottawa High School and won the state championship.

Forensics

In May 2002, Aaron Johnson^[11] and Brandon Mitchell^[12] were invited to the National Forensics League (NFL) National Speech and Debate Tournament, which was held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Entrance to the tournament was by invitation after winning their respective Eastern Kansas League National Qualifying Tournaments. Both students made it onto the Semi-Finals and were the highest finishers from Kansas City in tournament history.^[13][14]

In May 2006, the Sumner Academy Forensics Squad took third place in the 4A Kansas State Forensics Tournament.

In May 2008, the Sumner Academy Forensics Squad took third place in the 5A Kansas State Forensics Tournament.

In June 2008, Marcus Banks competed in the national tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[15]

In May 2012, the Sumner Academy Forensics Squad took first place in the 4A Kansas State Forensics Tournament.

In May 2013, the Sumner Academy Forensics Squad took first place in the 4A Kansas State Forensics Tournament.

In May 2013, Kalen Allen and Deonte Minor competed in the national tournament in Philadelphia, PA and placed 5th in DUO Interpretation.

In May 2014, the Sumner Academy Forensics Squad took first place in the 4A Kansas State Forensics Tournament.

In May 2014, Kalen Allen competed in the national tournament in Chicago, Illinois and placed 2nd in Dramatic Interpretation.

In May 2015, the Sumner Academy Forensics Squad took first place in the 4A Kansas State Forensics Tournament.

In May 2016, the Sumner Academy Forensics Squad took first place in the 4A Kansas State Forensics Tournament.

Track & Field

The Track Team won back to back Championships in the 1998 & 1999.

Architecture

Original Art Deco Building

By 1937 Sumner had outgrown its previous facilities at Ninth and Washington and was using every inch of available space for classes. That year the federal Works Progress Administration deemed Sumner eligible for a New Deal grant to construct a new building, eventually providing $378,000 for building and equipment. The school board selected Joseph W. Radotinsky of Kansas City to be the architect, and in 1938 issued $751,000 in bonds. The building was built 1938-1939 and dedicated in January 1940, with classes beginning January 2.^[16][17]

Radotinsky's design features the Art Deco style in vogue at the time for federally sponsored public works. The most striking element is the central streamlined entrance tower, which provides visual focus while housing the heating units, air intake chambers and associated filters. The exterior consists of an articulated pattern of two tones of fire-clay brick accented by limestone trim. The growing impact of European modernism can be seen in the massing of the structure; David H. Sachs and George Ehrlich particularly cite the influence of Willem Marinus Dudok, a Dutch architect best known for the Hilversum City Hall (Raadhuis, 1931). In turn, Dudok had borrowed extensively from Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School, particularly in terms of brickwork and the massing of geometric forms.^[18]

Subsequent Expansion

There have been a number of expansions to the campus complex since this original elegant building was erected:^[16]

• In 1964 the field house athletic field added.
• In 1975 the new gymnasium, cafeteria and student center were added.
• In 1978, when the school was officially closed as Sumner High School, there was extensive renovation of classrooms, library and science rooms.
• In 1985, the library was expanded, although the Sumner Courtyard decreased in size in order for the academic expansion of the student population.
• In 2002, voters approved a proposed $120 million bond issue at the Municipal Election Tuesday (April 3, 2001) to air-condition schools, improve technology, and make other upgrades to schools and public libraries. Sumner was part of Phase II, which was completed in the summer of 2002.
• In 2005, Sumner was named to the National Register of Historic Places and the Register of Historic Kansas Places.

The West Wing (New Building)

In 2010, a new wing was added to include all new technology. The addition was built over the west parking lot, and replaced the old temporary classroom units. The rooms are spacious, with carpeted floors, and can hold up to 40 student desks. The west wing also has new lockers and bathrooms and is equipped with some of the very latest in classroom technology.

Alma mater

Music by Jeff Beck. Lyrics by Annette Fick.

Sumner Sabres, blue and silver
We have pledged our hearts to thee
And we shall forge ahead in life
With truth and dignity.

Proudly facing each new day
We'll make our dreams a reality
And we'll remember all our lives
Our Sumner Academy.

Fight song

We are the Sumner Sabres.
To you we will be true.
We’ll stand and fight with all our might
For silver and blue.

All hail our Alma Mater.
Charge on to victory.
So fight, you mighty Sabres,
For our Sumner Academy. ^[19]

Notable alumni

• Earl Cole (Class of 1989), winner of Survivor: Fuji
• William Foster, Former Member of the National Council of Arts, President of the American Bandmasters Association, Director of the Marching 100 at Florida A&M University, National Association for Distinguished Band Conductors Hall of Fame Inductee, and Board Member of the John Phillips Sousa Foundation.
• Leonard Gray (Class of 1969), former NBA player for the Seattle SuperSonics
• Harold Hunter (Class of 1944), first African American to sign a contract with an National Basketball Association (NBA) team^[20]
• Delano Lewis, attorney, businessman, diplomat, and United States Ambassador to South Africa from 1999 to 2001.
• John McClendon, first African American head coach in any professional sport and enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

See also

• List of high schools in Kansas

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sumner Academy.

• Official website
• Sumner Academy Alumni
• School district

State

• Kansas State Department Of Education, KSDE
• Kansas State High School Activities Association, KSHSAA

Maps

• Kansas School District Boundary Map, KSDE

Historical

• Sumner Academy History
• The Story of Sumner High School in 1935