The History of Joseph S. Clark Preparatory High School

Joseph S. Clark Senior High School was founded in 1947, as one of two public high schools in New Orleans open to African-American students pre-integration. As a result, for decades after its founding, Clark graduated some of the most esteemed members of the African-American community in New Orleans. Our alumni represent leaders in nearly every field, including medicine, politics, religion, business, athletics and music. Clark High School was named after Joseph S. Clark, a leader in African-American education and the first president of Southern University at Baton Rouge.