Bolton Academy
School in Alexandria, Louisiana, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bolton Academy Academic & Performing Arts Magnet School (formerly Bolton High School) is a public magnet school in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States.[5][6] The school's neoclassical building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a part of the Rapides Parish School Board.
| Bolton Academy | |
|---|---|
Bolton High School in 2007 | |
| Location | |
 | |
2101 Vance Avenue , Louisiana 71301 United States | |
| Information | |
| Established | 1915[1] |
School district | Rapides Parish School Board |
| Superintendent | Jeff Powell |
Principal | Jenifer Scott[2] |
Assistant Principal | Hayley Dean[2] |
Teaching staff | 53.34 (FTE)[3] |
| Grades | pre-K – 12 |
| Enrollment | 561, grades 9–12 (2023–2024)[3] |
Student to teacher ratio | 10.52[3] |
| Colors | Royal blue and white[4] |
| Mascot | Bears[4] |
| Yearbook | Bruin |
| Website | boltonacademy |
History
1915 – 2024
Bolton High School was originally segregated, and African American students attended Peabody Industrial School. Scott M. Brame became the school's principal in 1909.[7]
Kewaunee Manufacturing of Kewaunee, Wisconsin advertised it was supplying furniture and equipment for the new school building in 1915. A photo of the school is featured in the advertisement.[8]
Bolton High School | |
  Location within Louisiana | |
| Location | 2101 Vance Ave., Alexandria, Louisiana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 31°17′36″N 92°27′20″W |
| Area | 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) |
| Built | 1926 |
| Architect | Favrot & Livaudais |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001349[9] |
| Added to NRHP | January 9, 1984 |
The Bolton High School building at 2101 Vance Ave. was constructed in 1926. It is Classical Revival in style and was designed by New Orleans architects Favrot & Livaudais. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. According to its National Register nomination, the building "can be seen as the most urbane and sophisticated early-twentieth century building" in Rapides Parish.[10]
The building is described as a "three story neo-classical masonry structure with limestone facing".[10] Expansive front and rear sections of the building are separated by an open area but are connected by two corridors. The expansive rear section of the building included a large auditorium. A cafeteria was added in 1967. The front entrance lobby has an ornate design, but much of the interior was "relatively plain",[10] emphasizing functionality over ornamentation.
In 1946, archery was added as an athletic program for girls at the school.[11]
On November 7, 1957, a tornado three blocks away from the school caused a power failure during a performance of Madame Butterfly. The performance was canceled. Nobody was injured.[12]
In 2019, a Career and Tech Center were added and a conservatory planned.[13]
2024 – present
In August 2023, the Rapides Parish School Board voted to transition Bolton High School into a magnet school.[14]
Beginning with the 2024–25 academic year, Bolton High School became Bolton Academy Academic & Performing Arts Magnet School.[15] During the first year, the school accepted students in grades 6 to 12, but the new magnet school is expected to accommodate students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.[6]
Athletics
Bolton High competes in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA).[16]
Notable alumni
- Errol Barron (b. 1941), architect and professor
- Daniel T. Barry (b. 1953), NASA astronaut[17]
- Elliott Chaze (1915–1990), journalist and novelist[18]
- Luther F. Cole (1925–2013), state politician and judge[19]
- Catherine D. Kimball (b. 1945), Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court[20]
- Maxie Lambright (1924–1980), football coach
- Gillis William Long (1923–1985), U.S. representative[21]
- Harold B. McSween (1926–2002), U.S. representative
- Warren Morris (b. 1974), Major League Baseball player[22]
- Vernon W. Pickett (1912–1944), US Army First Lieutenant that was killed in action during World War II, and the current namesake of Fort Pickett[23]
- Ned Randolph (1942–2016), state politician[24]
- Jock Scott (1947–2009), politician[25]
- Mickey Slaughter (1941–2023), quarterback in the American Football League[26]
- Randy Thom (b. 1951), winner of two Oscars, one British Academy Award, and one French Academy Award for film sound
See also
