Through the efforts of both concerned
parents and members of the Jefferson County Board of Education, Minor High
School was established to serve the communities of McDonald's Chapel,
Edgewater, Mulga, Bayview, Minor Heights, Docena, Crumley Chapel, Sandusky,
Hillview, Westwood, Adamsville, Cardiff, Forestdale, Graysville, and
Brookside. In February 1922, Minor High School, named for John W. Minor,
opened its doors to ninety-five students. Serving as principal was Mr. W.
C. Petty. According to The Birmingham Post, Minor High School was
the "pride and joy" of the Jefferson County Board of Education, costing
$100,000 ($75,000 for the building and $25,000 for equipment).
Minor's first full year of operation began on
September 11, 1922. With a faculty of seven, Minor High School served grades
nine through twelve and consisted of a 301 member student body. In addition,
Minor also established its athletic program – fielding a football team, a
girls' basketball team, and a tennis club the same year. In June of 1923,
Minor graduated its first class of fourteen seniors with Bertha Thompson
serving as the first senior class president.
Catastrophe struck at 6:30 a.m. on Friday,
January 22, 1926 when a fire, originating in the chemistry laboratory,
consumed the school and forced its temporary closure. Minor reopened its
doors in 1927 after the main building was rebuilt. A gymnasium, extra
classrooms, and a library were added later.
From its first season in 1922, Friday night
football was a community event, but because of inadequate facilities, most
football games were played at the opponent's field. In 1953, through the
efforts of the communities served, Minor built a lighted football field and
stadium. With a press box added in 1960, the stadium was considered one of
the best in the state.
Minor High
School experienced various expansions through the years: an office wing and
classrooms in 1963, a lunchroom and band room in 1970, additional classrooms
when Dixie Junior High School became available, and a new field house and
gymnasium. These additions doubled the campus size.
In the late 1980s, Minor High School faced the
task of renovation. Instead of refurbishing the school's old building, the
Jefferson County Board of Education decided to retire the old school and
build a new, modern facility. In September 1988, classes began in the new
building located in Adamsville. In 1996, a new lighted stadium was built at
the Adamsville site. With the addition of the ninth grade classes that were
previously at Bottenfield Jr. High, Minor High School has experienced much
growth over the past five years. The 2001-2002 school year opened with a new
wing consisting of seventeen new classrooms and three science labs. The
necessity of a second gymnasium was soon evident. In 2002-2003, a new
practice gymnasium was added to the campus. Working in conjunction with
Wal-Mart and the Jefferson County Commission, Minor High School is currently
building several practice athletic fields with a projected use by the
soccer, softball, and football teams as well as a secondary practice
location for the band.
Because the
school is always concerned for the safety and security of our students,
faculty, and staff, Minor High School is excited about the recent decision
of Jefferson County to match funds for the purchase of a highly technical
security system. Cameras where placed in every public area, both inside
and out. Monitors will be placed in both the main office and the Student
Resource Officer's office.
Minor High
School holds the distinction of being one of the few comprehensive high
schools in the Jefferson County School District, providing not only
excellent college preparatory courses, but also a wide variety of
career/technical classes for those preparing to enter the work force after
graduation.