HALL HIGH SCHOOL

Hall High School

6700 "H" Street

Hall High School opened in 1957 with a student body of about 700. It was named for Col. Robert Cleveland "R.C." Hall, Superintendent of the Little Rock School District from 1909 to 1941. Hall High offers a University Studies program where eligible high school students can take courses through the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and earn high school and college credit simultaneously. This program can give college-bound students a jump start on their college courses and give others the confidence they need to pursue a college degree. The Cisco Networking Academy is another unique program that is available only at Hall. It is a four-semester, hands-on computer networking curriculum prescribed by the Cisco Corporation. At the end of the program, students take a certification test which is recognized throughout this competitive field.

Hall High School also is the home of the Carolyn Newbern Newcomer Center. Secondary students whose native language is not English have the option of attending Hall and participating in its English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Hall's classic performing arts auditorium, the home of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra from September 1972 to April 1973, still serves as a favorite site for community events and performances. Hall is one of only three high schools in Arkansas admitted to the Cum Laude Society, a national academic achievement organization; Hall joined this prestigious society in 1963.

Hall has an impressive list of alumni, including Gen. Wesley Clark (retired Supreme Commander of NATO Forces in Europe and a presidential candidate in 2004), Bruce Lindsey (an advisor to former President Bill Clinton), Jim Guy Tucker (former Governor of Arkansas), David Auburn (Tony Award-winning and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright), E. Lynn Harris (best-selling author), Richard Thalheimer (founder and CEO of The Sharper Image), Sidney Moncrief (Milwaukee Bucks), Chris Akins (Cleveland Browns), Audra Burks (LPGA) and DeeDee Brown (professional track star). Hall High School received additions in 1962, 1963, 1971, 1975 and 1984. Two new buildings opened in 2003: a new gymnasium/athletic center and a new classroom wing. The Dietz Physical Development Center officially was dedicated in January 2005 and was named to honor Donnie Dietz, a Hall High graduate and West Point alumnus who was killed in Vietnam in 1969.

Photo: Hall High School.

R.C. Hall was a native of Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia and became an educator in his home state before arriving in Arkansas in 1891. He was a well-known educator throughout the South: he taught English, math, science, French and Latin and served as principal of Peabody High School in Little Rock before being named LRSD Superintendent. During his tenure as Superintendent, 16 new schools were built: 12 elementary schools, two junior highs, Little Rock [Central] High School (as well as Quigley Stadium) and Dunbar High School. Hall established the first football team in Little Rock and was known as the "Father of the School Board" by many people. In his letter of resignation as Superintendent, he confirmed that he had given 38 years of service to the district (six as principal of the high school, one year as principal of U.M. Rose Elementary School and 31 years as Superintendent).

Sources:
LRSD archives.
Hall High School web site: http://www.lrsd.org/schoolindex.cfm?sccode=02
"LR schools named for prominent people," Arkansas Democrat article by Cynthia Howell, 18 Apr 1983; page 10B.
Hobby, Selma; 1991 research project about the Little Rock School District.
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

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Updated July 2005