Robinson Primary School

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This article is about the school in Fairfield. For the school in Birmingham, see Robinson Elementary School.
Robinson Primary School
Robinson Primary School crest.jpg
Established 1937
School type Public
District N/A
Grades K-2
Principal Melonie Peppins
Enrollment 250 (2024)
Colors royal blue & white
Mascot Baby Bulldogs
Location 301 61st Street Fairfield
Fairfield
Website fairfieldschoolsystem.com

Robinson Primary School, formerly Fairfield Heights Negro School, 61st Street School, and Robinson Elementary School is a Fairfield City Schools public school for kindergarten through 2nd grade. Prior to the racial integration of Fairfield City Schools, Robinson was designated for Black students.

The school was founded in 1915 at First Baptist Church of Fairfield. It joined Jefferson County Schools in 1917, and was made part of Fairfield's independent system when it was created in 1920. Fire damaged the one-room schoolhouse on March 19, 1928. A. M. Blaylock Construction Co. made the repairs.

A new 10-room brick elementary school building was constructed in 1937. E. B. Van Keuren designed the building, which was projected to cost of $35,000. The low bid for construction was $36,425, submitted by Daniels Construction Company. The board voted to accept the bid, but to review his pricing in more detail. Chair J. T. McLaughlin anticipated that the new school would open with just 7 rooms completed, and the other three left unfinished for future use. The federal Public Works Administration supported the project.

The school was renamed in 1949 for long-time teacher and principal Esther Robinson, who had died three years earlier.

A new school building was completed adjacent to the original in 1953 with $235,000 in bond funds. Several frame buildings on the school campus were removed at that time. Van Keuren, Davis & Company designed the new building, which held 13 classrooms, an auditorium, cafeteria and offices. The $197,490 contract for construction was awarded to E. C. Coston, with the remaining funds being used for equipment. At the dedication of the new building in May 1953, first grader Donald Nelson was presented with the key to open the entrance door.

Another four classroom wing was added in 1957 to designs drawn by Lawrence Whitten. The project included two restrooms and a stairwell.

In the 1950s, Robinson was a K-8 school, with students matriculating to Fairfield Industrial High School. At that time the school had more than 950 students. In 1963 the 8th grade class at Robinson was moved to the high school to relieve overcrowding. Later 7th and 8th grade students moved into a new Interurban Heights Junior High School.

Entrance to Robinson Primary School in 2025

In 1971 Robinson taught almost 70% of Black students in the system, while the remaining 30% were divided between three other elementary schools. In a 1971 Fairfield Comprehensive Plan developed by the Birmingham Regional Planning Commission, it was recommended the the campus and buildings at Robinson be expanded to accommodate an anticipated enrollment of 1,990. That same year a group of parents petitioned for badly-needed repairs. Superintendent Don Byrd agreed to a program of improvements which included air conditioning, new lighting, and new kitchen equipment.

After much maneuvering the Board proposed a plan in July 1972 to have about 137 white students enrolled at Robinson by "pairing" it with Forest Hills Elementary School, as recommended by the U.S. Appeals Court for the 5th Circuit. Rumors of potential violence suppressed attendance. Funds from a 1977 bond issue went toward construction of a new gymnasium and a re-roofing project. Classrooms were also repainted, with each teacher allowed to choose the color for their room.

Asbestos found in the building was removed in March 1984. A program to provide teacher's aides to classrooms was instituted in 1986. In 1994 four temporary classrooms were put into use at Robinson and the old building's wiring was replaced. In 2002 the gymnasium roof was replaced and additional electrical updates completed. Discretionary funding from the Alabama House of Representatives allowed the school to open a 22-station computer lab.

In 2018 reading arts teacher Devon Frazier-Holston created a national "I See Me" campaign for book donations to help him break the "school to prison pipeline," specifically requesting books with African-American characters.

Principals

References

External links

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