Rate of Graduation
I made a line graph in the upper right corner that shows the graduation rate of students from the years 1936 to 1965. Prior to creating the graph, I searched for a pre-made line graph or a set of records that had the average number of students that graduated from Parker-Gray School. However, despite extensive searching across numerous websites, no student records-related websites could be found. So, I made the decision to design my own to have a deeper grasp of the schools' histories as well as their popularity. The images from the Historic Alexandria Collections Online served as the greatest source of data for building my line graph in this manner. I would browse all the images related to the theme and particulars of the graduating class's year. After thoroughly compiling all of the data images for each year that was available, I meticulously arranged the data and made my line graph.
To be noted, the images I collected for the graph may not always represent the actual number of students that graduated in the year. There might be more students than what is indicated by the photo count alone. But because there isn't much information available on the topic, this estimate of the number of graduates is the closest. Moreover, if you want to learn more about the additional images that were utilized in the line graph. I'll have a special page with all the links to every website listed in chronological order.
The 1936 graduating class is shown in the second image below the graph, with Mr. Welsey D. Elam, the school's principal, standing in two rows on the steps. The four-year high school program at Parker-Gray School had its first graduating class with these four students. Despite the fact that there were only four graduates in the initial picture, the school's enrollment increased as it gained in reputation.
The Parker-Gray high school class of 1951 is depicted in the third image. In five rows in the gymnasium, sixty-three students were seated in caps and gowns. The bottom rows of this photo have several students who are dressed in white caps and gowns, which is noteworthy. The students on the top row, however, are dressed in dark caps and gowns.
The 1965 graduating class is shown in the fourth image. About 70 students standing in six rows in dark-colored caps and gowns. While graph displays the school's rising popularity as it enrolls more pupils. Before the High School was compelled to transform into a Middle School the next year, this would be the last graduation picture taken.