What was Parker-Gray School
Before the city of Alexandria established a co-educational public school for white and black children. There weren't many public schools available for African American students since white-controlled state and local governments in the South frequently underfunded southern black schools. Education programs as a result had fewer resources for both teachers and pupils. The majority of African American schools at the time were modest timber structures in the outskirts of towns with minimal educational resources.
But as time passed, the number of public schools serving African American students grew and became more accessible to low-income families. As a result of the significant rise in student enrollment, several schools began to appear crowded. Therefore, two new African American elementary schools (Hallowell Schools for Girls and Snowden School for Boys) were opened in Alexandria under the administration of the Freedman's Bureau. The principal of Snowden School for Boys was John F. Parker, and the principal of Hallowell School for Girls was Sarah A. Gray. But once more, these schools became overcrowded and new schools had to be built. So, according to the History of the parker-gray schools, “Community demands for better facilities were led by Rev. S. B. Ross, pastor of Third Baptist Church, Samuel Tucker, Samuel Madden, Mrs. Blanche Taylor, Henry T. Taylor, the Teachers’ Association, and the alumni of the Hallowell and Snowden Schools. In 1920 a new school opened named Parker-Gray with the combination of both principals last names of John F. Parkerand Sarah A. Gray.”