The School

The school was closed in '53. For awhile after, the playground swings were still used for playing in.

When it was closed, kids had to go to Richmond School, which was a long way away. Our children were stigmatized as slow learners. Such was the way it was at the time.

Africville children were well educated at the old school. The class was divided into two sections – younger and older kids. You made it to Grade 8 and you were on your way to Bloomfield or Richmond schools.

An early teacher was Mister Jemmott. A West Indies fellow, he taught for 25 years without missing a day and his son, well, Gordon became the principal. Gordon's daughter Clarissa became a third-grade teacher when she grew up in the ‘40s. Later in the ‘50s, some of our teachers were Laylia Smith and Verna Davis.

Did you know Portia White taught there? She did. And she was a famous singer in her day. More famous than Beyonce! ‘Magine that!

The Africville Genealogy Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage for this project.
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