Gibsland–Coleman High School

Gibsland–Coleman High School, also known as Gibsland-Coleman Complex, is a K-12 public school in Gibsland, Louisiana, United States. It is a part of the Bienville Parish School Board.^[2] It was previously named Gibsland Colored High School and Coleman High School.

Gibsland-Coleman High School
Location
501 South Tenth Street Gibsland , (Bienville Parish) , Louisiana 71028 United States
Coordinates	32.5374°N 93.0619°W / 32.5374; -93.0619
Information
Type	Public high school
School district	Bienville Parish School Board
Principal	Christopher E. Jackson
Staff	21.00 (FTE)[1]
Enrollment	157[1] (2023-2024)
Student to teacher ratio	7.48[1]
Color(s)	Purple and gold
Mascot	Bulldog
Nickname	Bulldogs
Website

History

The site of the Gibsland-Coleman Complex is the same location as Coleman College, an African American segregated secondary school and the first African American institution for higher learning in North Louisiana.^[3] In 1937, Coleman College closed due to the Great Depression and the campus was sold to the Bienville School District.^[3]

It was re-opened as Gibsland Colored High School, a segregated African American public secondary school (and was later known as Coleman High School).^[3] John Sherman Campbell (1897–1976), a noted educator, wildlife manager, conservationist, served as the principal from 1935 to 1938.^[4]

In 1970, the school was renamed Gibsland–Coleman High School, after full integration with the segregated all-white Gibsland High School.^{[citation needed]}

On February 7, 2014, a large marker was unveiled at the Gibsland–Coleman School Complex dedicated to Coleman College.

Demographics

The Gibsland–Coleman High School receives Title 1 funding.^[2] In 2020–2021, the school had a 90% minority enrollment, and enrolled primary African American students.^[5]

Athletics

Gibsland–Coleman High School athletics competes in the LHSAA. Nearby public schools include Arcadia High School, Ringgold High School, and Castor High School.^[5]

Notable alumni

• Charles M. Blow (born 1970), journalist, class of 1988^[6]
• Wilmer Clemont Fields (1922–2018), Southern Baptist minister, public relations executive, newspaper editor, class of 1939 at Gibsland High School^[7]