Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – Much has been said about the current racial make up of Little Rock Central High School as we approach the 50th anniversary of the school’s 1957 desegregation and the constitutional crisis that surrounded it.
According to current statistics, Little Rock Central is 53.4 percent African American, 40.6 percent Caucasian and 6 percent various other nationalities. The 50th anniversary 2007-2008 Central senior class is 45.8 percent African American, 48.2 percent Caucasian and 6 percent various other nationalities.
Little Rock’s 18-and-under population, based on 2005 projections, is 49 percent African American, 44.4 percent Caucasian and 5.6 percent various other nationalities.
Draw your own conclusions. But to me Little Rock Central’s population looks very similar to Little Rock’s population. I would say by the 2007 Central High numbers, desegregation at the school is working.
One other very interesting Central High statistic: Of the last 11 student body presidents (including the current year): five African Americans; five Caucasians; and one other nationality (current officeholder) have held the highest student elective position.
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