AFRICAN AMERICAN SCHOOL BUILDING REVIVAL
W. H. Reed High School
Assumption Parish
W. H. Reed High School’s origins date to 1939 when it originally opened as Napoleonville Junior High School, educating African American students through 9th grade. Additional grades were added over subsequent years until 1948, when the addition of the 12th grade made it a full-fledged high school. Its first graduating class had five students. Napoleonville Colored High School became the first secondary educational facility for Black students in the area. The building’s design was notable for its unique octagon-shaped main office. In 1953, a new high school was built on the adjoining grounds, and its name was updated to honor Reverend William H. Reed, the former pastor of First Israel Baptist Church in Belle Rose, LA and a strong advocate of education. The elegant, spacious, and modern new structure was built under the continued administration of Mr. Lawrence Southall. A plaque honoring the first graduating class of 1948 is in the old school building and has its original motto inscribed: “Education is Guidance.” After W. H. Reed High School closed in 1970, Napoleonville Elementary School ultimately took over the whole site, which was later renamed Napoleonville Primary School, serving grades PreK-4. This school is still in operation today.
W.H. Reed High School
OPENED: 1953
CLOSED: N/A
OTHER NAMES OF SCHOOL: Napoleonville Colored High School, Napoleonville High School, Napoleonville Junior High School, Napoleonville Elementary School, Napoleonville Primary School
OTHER USES/CURRENT USE: Elementary school
185 LA Highway 1008
Napoleonville, LA 70390
