Parker-Gray Elementary School
A brand-new Parker-Gray elementary school, serving grades 1 - 8, opened its doors in September 1920 at 901 Wythe Street. A few roadblocks had to be overcome before the schools were ready for the general public when the doors opened in anticipation of teaching new students. In the construction of the school, there was most undoubtedly inequality in the establishment of the school because the City of Alexandria provided funding for the institution with a minimal low profit. As a result, the neighborhood and alumni raised about $4,000 for suitable equipment. As a result, they bought 600 lantern slides, chairs for the auditorium, a stage curtain, waste bins, desk clocks, coat racks for the teachers, $1,000 worth of equipment for the home economics room, reference books, roller maps, globes, a typewriter, a Victrola, and records, as well as half the price of the building's window coverings. As a result, the schools were successful over their ten years of educating young kids. After graduation, though, there would be a problem with the students.
When compared to high schools for white students, the segregated schools were still regarded to be short for eighth graders, but older students would have a tough time attending a better educated high school for African American students. For African Americans, there were a few high schools, but Alexandria had little to offer those who wanted to continue their education after that. Children had to make a lengthy journey, frequently on foot through all four seasons, to get to a segregated high school in Washington, D.C.
Therefore, the community won a second battle in 1932 to establish a new program to extend Parker-Gray education to include a three-year high school under the administration of Principal Wesley Elam.