The face of education in Opelousas, Louisiana for Coloreds/Negros/ was the image of a two-story building on the East side appropriately named, Old St. Landry Parish School for Coloreds. It served with distinction for decades as the Mecca to educate people of color in the one time State Capitol of Louisiana – Opelousas – in St Landry Parish. But time took its toll of the old building, and it was evident that a new facility was needed. And thus, that rich tradition established under “Old St. Landry” would take on a new front. 

The year was 1953 and that new identity would come under the name of J.S. Clark High School. Named in honor of Joseph Samuel Clark, the first President of Southern University and A&M College in Scotlandville/Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1914, a proud student-body would forge ahead to establish their own tradition.

Over the next sixteen years – 1954 – 1969 – Clark students would distinguish themselves in the areas of education and athletics and show their resilience in 4-H Clubs, Agriculture, Music, Industrial Arts, Home Economics, Oratory and many other fields of endeavor.

Subsequently, these Clark students would matriculate into institutions of higher learning all over the United States, from Southern to Grambling State College to Harvard. There, many distinguished themselves in Education, Military Science, Law, Politics, Medicine, Entertainment, Business and Athletics. From Lieutenant Generals to PhD’s of many disciplines to Olympic Champions, the former students from Clark and the small community of Opelousas blazed a trail that is still revered the world over.

In 1970 a new era was ushered in with the Desegregation of Public Schools in Louisiana and many of our High Schools, and our Black leaders for which they were named, were reduced to Elementary or Junior-High Schools status or disbanded altogether.

Today, the Clark Building, located on the East side at 1100 Leo Street, subsequently housed East Junior High and the current Magnate Academy of Cultural Arts (MACA) Schools.

Now the Alumni of Clark will pay tribute to the name, “J.S. Clark High School” and preserve its images and tradition in perpetuity,