Cooper Academy 2017 Ribbon-Cutting!

Cherish the Past. Embrace the Future. Change the World.
We couldn't think of better words to fly in front of Cooper Academy.

The roots of this school go back to Clayton's first school for blacks in 1889. In a time of segregation, William Mason Cooper High would become an outstanding school - with African-American teachers and students achieving academic success, bringing home state championships and recording popular musical albums with their voices of "force and feelings." In fact, those members of Cooper's 1963 Jubilee Singers returned to Cooper today to raise up their voices once again! They were joined by Cooper alumni like Mayor Jody Mcleod and Councilman Jason Thompson and dozens of former & current students, teachers and community leaders - ushering in yet another rebirth for Cooper - as a college prep and dual language elementary school. Wow! What an awesome turnout for the ribbon cutting ceremony! Councilman Butch Lawter, Town Manager Adam Lindsay and Police Chief Blair Myhand were proud to be there showing support! Cooper couldn't have done it without the Clayton Chamber of Commerce and their giant scissors! #community
Thank you to Johnston County Public Schools and its leaders for having the vision to re-invent this true "community school" and huge applause to Principal Jocell Flores and her amazing staff and teachers for breathing incredible enthusiasm into this school's new re-start. Monday will be the beginning of more great history-making at Cooper and we can't wait to spread the news of your successes! Go ROCKETS! Cherish the Past. Embrace the Future. Change the World! We LOVE it!   / cooperelementaryclayton  
If you'd like to look through the wonderful collection of photos on the history of Cooper High School, please check them out in the Clayton Library's amazing online collections: https://www.flickr.com/…/claytonhi…/a...