The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-30
HE bInNIIl(1flAM AGE HERALD

creation Of new districts Tn terrltOry heretofore sparsely developed, as well as the development of large centralized school plants in place of the present small and medium-sized schools. The Ensley High school was erected to serve the western sections of the city. Its normal capacity is 947. The second ary school population of the two sec tions for 1880 is estimated to be 2,636, and for 194O it is 3,S16. At the present time a number of students from the western sections are attending the new Phillips High school. The discussion of the population growth of the central sections indicated conclusively that the Phillips High school cannot continue to accept students from the western sec tions. The Ensley High school may be expanded to 2O00 pupil capacity by 1910. By 1880, therefore, there will be a congestion of 636 students in the Ems ley High school and by 1940, a conges- tion of 1916, with the expansions as noted., It is obvious that one high school center cannot care for the future high school students in this section.
 Birmingham should make plans now for the following number of white ele- mentary children by 1880:
 Eastern section. n................4 4, ,297 North and south central sections e, ,9S5 North and southwestern sections g, PAS ---
 Total .................. 19, ,53O
 The 19,53O total represents the 1850 estimate after the number of chill dren who are already normally accom- modated, viz, 14,157, have been de- ducted and allowance made for the schools recommended for replacement and for new schools now under con- struction.
 1880 Estimate
 The 1880 estimate of the secondary school population is 6,S75 students, the 1940 estimate, 9,215 students The present high school accommodations to- tai 3,966, including the new unit of the Phillips High school. Plans should be developed now to care for 2,9O9 more secondary school students by 1880.
 If Birmingham is to plan now, as has been recommended, for the 1880 es- the same time plan for the elimina- tion of congestion of all temporary quarters, together with unsafe and worn-out buildings, accommodations for the following number of negro elemen- tary school children will be required: Eastern section 1884 North central and south central
 sectlons .S,SII Northwestern and Southwesterf
 sections ................ ,54S
 Total .19,473
 As the estimated total negro elemen- tary school population for 194O is 3O,4S2 it is evident that the present school accommoda tions will be of slight assistance in the solution of the hous- ing problem.
 The negro secondary school needs will be provided for when the indus trial high school is completed.
 New Districts
 Owing to the rapid population growth in the western part of the city the formation of three new districts is recommended. These are the Oakland, the Shadyside and the West End. A flew South Woodlawn district is also recommended for the eastern section.
 Excellent foresight has been exer- cised in the formation of high school districts. There is the eastern dis trict, served by the new Woodlawn High school; the central district, served by the John Herbert Phillips High school, and the western, served by the Ensley High school. The rapid devel- in the southwestern and north western sections could not be foreseen, since no survey of estimated gains had previously been made.
 The facts of the situation are that new high school district should be former by 1880 and a fourth unit planned to serve the large part of the southwestern section, or West End and ElytOn and a portion of the central central sections. A new southside high school should serve part of the Phillips High school district by 194O.
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