McClymonds High School
Encyclopedia
McClymonds High School is a public high school
in the West Oakland neighborhood of Oakland, California
, USA.
In addition to being the third oldest high school in Oakland, it is the larger of the two high schools in West Oakland (the other being Bunche High School), and the only high school in West Oakland operated by the Oakland Unified School District
.
. Originally, 60 students were enrolled in the school, which at that time was called Vocational High School. It was the first public school in California to offer summer school.
The school was named after J.W. McClymonds, who at one time was the superintendent
of the Oakland Unified School District
.
In 1927, with $325,000 spent on additional classrooms, the school became more of a regular school than a summer school. Then in 1933, the legislative act was passed, regulating school building construction. It said that schools should have steel and structural support on the inside. The building did not meet these requirements.
The school decided to move to 14th and Myrtle Street in the same building with Lowell Junior High School. McClymonds High thereby became a four year high school. The name changed from J.W. McClymonds to Lowell McClymonds and then to McClymonds Lowell High School.
Finally, in September 1938, the official name of the school became McClymonds, and it was moved to 26th and Myrtle.
.
On September 24, 2010, at 2pm, the school opened a new, state-of-the-art football field, William Belford Stadium, named in honor of the late William "Bill" Belford (often called the "godfather" of McClymonds sports).
gave a speech at McClymonds at a function sponsored by the Afro-American Association. A young Muhammad Ali
spoke at the function. The Black Panthers co-founder Huey P. Newton
was in attendance.
Currently, many students are working in conjunction with students from nearby UC Berkeley
to revitalize a dilapidated drug-ridden park into a history learning park and expand it into the school's campus.
McClymonds was featured in the book Black in School: Afrocentric Reform, Urban Youth & the Promise of Hip-Hop Culture written by Shawn Ginwright
.
In 2007, McClymonds had over 100 graduates. In 2008, McClymonds had the highest CAHSEE test scores in the Oakland Unified School District.
The McClymonds varsity basketball team won a state Tournament of Champions held in 1980 at the Oracle Arena.
McClymonds offers a variety of sport
s, including football
, baseball
, basketball
, cross-country
, track
, and others. Although McClymonds is separated into two schools, the sports teams are still one, under the mascot of the Warrior.
On May 16, 2006, the Oakland City Council adopted a Resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Nancy J. Nadel (District 3), congratulating the McClymonds Football Team For Excellence in Athletics and Academics, recognizing that McClymonds High School ranked #1 in the East Bay and Northern California as the high school with the most football players (9) attending Division I universities, under the direction of head football coach Alonzo Carter. McClymonds was the only high school in the nation that year with three Top 100 Prospects, and, with only 600-650 students, ranked #1 in Northern California for Division I Signees, and ranked #2 in the State, behind Long Beach Poly, which had 5,000 students.
On March 15, 2008, McClymonds achieved its first ever Division I state championship basketball win over Dominguez High School
of Compton, California
, 73-54, at the Arco Arena
, as the culmination of their undefeated streak of 32 wins and no losses.
doctor and UC Berkeley
alumna Barbara Staggers and named after activist Chappell Hayes
was opened in 2005. In creating the Health Center, Dr. Staggers partnered with Lisa Hardy, MD., Division Chief of Psychiatry also at Children's to ensure that mental health services would also be available to the school community. It serves McClymonds students, alumni, and members of the West Oakland community.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in the West Oakland neighborhood of Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, USA.
In addition to being the third oldest high school in Oakland, it is the larger of the two high schools in West Oakland (the other being Bunche High School), and the only high school in West Oakland operated by the Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District is a public education school district which operates elementary schools , middle schools , and high schools in Oakland, California.-History:...
.
Early history (1915-2005)
In January 1915, McClymonds High School started in a small building formerly occupied by Oakland Technical High SchoolOakland Technical High School
Oakland Technical High School, known locally as Oakland Tech, or just simply "Tech", is a public high school in Oakland, California, and is operated under the jurisdiction of the Oakland Unified School District.-Background:...
. Originally, 60 students were enrolled in the school, which at that time was called Vocational High School. It was the first public school in California to offer summer school.
The school was named after J.W. McClymonds, who at one time was the superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of the Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District is a public education school district which operates elementary schools , middle schools , and high schools in Oakland, California.-History:...
.
In 1927, with $325,000 spent on additional classrooms, the school became more of a regular school than a summer school. Then in 1933, the legislative act was passed, regulating school building construction. It said that schools should have steel and structural support on the inside. The building did not meet these requirements.
The school decided to move to 14th and Myrtle Street in the same building with Lowell Junior High School. McClymonds High thereby became a four year high school. The name changed from J.W. McClymonds to Lowell McClymonds and then to McClymonds Lowell High School.
Finally, in September 1938, the official name of the school became McClymonds, and it was moved to 26th and Myrtle.
McClymonds Educational Complex (2005-2010)
In 2005, McClymonds was split into three smaller schools, BEST, EXCEL, and Kizmet Academy, collectively known as McClymonds Educational ComplexMcClymonds Educational Complex
McClymonds Educational Complex was the collective name of the two small high schools occupying the building of McClymonds High School, operated by the Oakland Unified School District from August 2005 to 2010....
.
"Mack Is Back!" (2010-Present)
In 2010, McClymonds Educational Complex returned to being McClymonds High School. The school's 2010-11 theme is "Mack is Back!"On September 24, 2010, at 2pm, the school opened a new, state-of-the-art football field, William Belford Stadium, named in honor of the late William "Bill" Belford (often called the "godfather" of McClymonds sports).
Notable events and mentions in the media
Malcolm XMalcolm X
Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its...
gave a speech at McClymonds at a function sponsored by the Afro-American Association. A young Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
spoke at the function. The Black Panthers co-founder Huey P. Newton
Huey P. Newton
Huey Percy Newton was an American political and urban activist who, along with Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panther Party for Self Defense.-Early life:...
was in attendance.
Currently, many students are working in conjunction with students from nearby UC Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
to revitalize a dilapidated drug-ridden park into a history learning park and expand it into the school's campus.
McClymonds was featured in the book Black in School: Afrocentric Reform, Urban Youth & the Promise of Hip-Hop Culture written by Shawn Ginwright
Shawn Ginwright
Shawn A. Ginwright is an Associate Professor of Africana Studies at San Francisco State University and author. A nationally renowned expert in youth development, youth activism and youth engagement, In 2004, he joined the faculty at San Francisco State University where he works with students,...
.
Academics
Former hip-hop magazine writer and author Mark Xandrine Sneed taught English at McClymonds.In 2007, McClymonds had over 100 graduates. In 2008, McClymonds had the highest CAHSEE test scores in the Oakland Unified School District.
Sports
Historically, McClymonds has performed excellently at sports.The McClymonds varsity basketball team won a state Tournament of Champions held in 1980 at the Oracle Arena.
McClymonds offers a variety of sport
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
s, including football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cross-country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
, and others. Although McClymonds is separated into two schools, the sports teams are still one, under the mascot of the Warrior.
On May 16, 2006, the Oakland City Council adopted a Resolution, sponsored by Councilmember Nancy J. Nadel (District 3), congratulating the McClymonds Football Team For Excellence in Athletics and Academics, recognizing that McClymonds High School ranked #1 in the East Bay and Northern California as the high school with the most football players (9) attending Division I universities, under the direction of head football coach Alonzo Carter. McClymonds was the only high school in the nation that year with three Top 100 Prospects, and, with only 600-650 students, ranked #1 in Northern California for Division I Signees, and ranked #2 in the State, behind Long Beach Poly, which had 5,000 students.
On March 15, 2008, McClymonds achieved its first ever Division I state championship basketball win over Dominguez High School
Dominguez High School
Dominguez High School is a four-year secondary school located in Compton, California. It is part of the Compton Unified School District.The school's current principal is Rigoberto Roman...
of Compton, California
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
, 73-54, at the Arco Arena
ARCO Arena
Power Balance Pavilion is an indoor arena, located in the Natomas area of Sacramento, California. It is the home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.-Background:...
, as the culmination of their undefeated streak of 32 wins and no losses.
Chappell Hayes Health Center
McClymonds' health center, founded by Children's HospitalChildren's Hospital Oakland
Children's Hospital Oakland, full name Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, is a children's hospital in Oakland, California. It is the only independent children’s hospital in the northern part of the state and is designated a Level I pediatric trauma center...
doctor and UC Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
alumna Barbara Staggers and named after activist Chappell Hayes
Chappell Hayes
Chappell Hayes was a political activist in West Oakland.Hayes campaigned against polluting industries in West Oakland. Hayes fought against reconstruction of the Cypress Street Viaduct through the center of West Oakland, forced the port to spend millions on environmental initiatives and helped get...
was opened in 2005. In creating the Health Center, Dr. Staggers partnered with Lisa Hardy, MD., Division Chief of Psychiatry also at Children's to ensure that mental health services would also be available to the school community. It serves McClymonds students, alumni, and members of the West Oakland community.
Notable McClymonds alumni
McClymonds's motto is "School of Champions," as there are many famous McClymonds alumni:- Antonio DavisAntonio DavisAntonio Lee Davis is a retired American National Basketball Association player. Davis is also the former president of the NBA Players Association .-College career:...
, NBA player - Ron DellumsRon DellumsRonald Vernie "Ron" Dellums served as Oakland's forty-fifth mayor. From 1971 to 1998, he was elected to thirteen terms as a Member of the U.S...
, former U.S. Congressman and mayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Oakland - Joe EllisJoe EllisJoseph Franklin Ellis is a retired American basketball player. He played eight seasons in the NBA all for the Warriors franchise; the first five seasons were with the then San Francisco Warriors and the last three when the franchise relocated to Oakland and became the Golden State Warriors.He...
, NBA player - Curt FloodCurt FloodCurtis Charles Flood was a Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career as a center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. A defensive standout, he led the National League in putouts four times and in fielding percentage twice, winning Gold Glove Awards in his last seven full seasons...
, MLBMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - MC HammerMC HammerStanley Kirk Burrell , better known by his stage name MC Hammer , is an American rapper, entertainer, business entrepreneur, dancer and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s...
, GrammyGrammy AwardA Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning rapper - Jim HinesJim HinesJames "Jim" Ray Hines is a former American track and field athlete, who held the 100 m world record for 15 years. He was the first sprinter to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters.-Track career:...
, Olympic gold medalist, 100 yard dash record holder, and the first man to break the 10 second barrier - Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell, one of the greatest street basketball players
- Vada PinsonVada PinsonVada Edward Pinson, Jr. was an American center fielder and coach in Major League Baseball. Pinson played in the major leagues for 18 years, from 1958 through 1975, and his greatest seasons were with the Cincinnati Redlegs/Reds, for whom he played from 1958–68.Pinson combined power, speed and...
, MLB player - Curt RobertsCurt RobertsCurtis Benjamin Roberts was a Major League Baseball second baseman. He was signed by the Boston Braves as an amateur free agent before the 1951 season, and played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1954 to 1956. A native of Pineland, Texas, he stood 5'8" and weighed...
, the first African AmericanAfrican AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
fielded by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions... - Frank RobinsonFrank RobinsonFrank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
, MLB player - Bill RussellBill RussellWilliam Felton "Bill" Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association...
, NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
Hall of FamerBasketball Hall of FameThe Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, honors exceptional basketball players, coaches, referees, executives, and other major contributors to the game of basketball worldwide...
, 11-time NBA Champion (most championships by a player in NBA history) - Paul SilasPaul SilasPaul Theron Silas is a retired American professional basketball player and current head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. He attended Creighton University, where he set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in three seasons and averaged 20.6 rebounds per game in 1963...
, NBA player and coach - Brandon Smith, CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
player for the Calgary StampedersCalgary StampedersThe Calgary Stampeders are a Canadian Football League team based in Calgary, Alberta and named in reference to the Calgary Stampede. The Stampeders play their home games at McMahon Stadium... - Nate WilliamsNate WilliamsNathaniel Russell "Nate" Williams is a former professional basketball player. A swingman from Utah State University, Williams was selected first in the 1971 NBA Hardship Draft, a supplemental draft for college underclassman...
, NBA player - Lionel Wilson, former mayor of Oakland
- Ernie LombardiErnie LombardiErnesto Natali "Ernie" Lombardi , was a Major League Baseball catcher for the Brooklyn Robins, the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants during a Hall of Fame career that spanned 17 years, from 1931 to 1947. He had several nicknames, including "Schnozz", "Lumbago", "Bocci",...
, Hall Of Fame catcher for Cincinnati Reds