Columbia High School (Maplewood, New Jersey)

Controversy

In 2004, Columbia High School made national headlines when the administration altered a policy regarding religiously themed holiday songs, putting more strict guidelines in place. Many people believed the new rules to be overbearingly strict. Radio personality Don Imus produced a song on his radio program entitled "Oh, Little Town of Maplewood," mocking the new rules of Columbia High School.

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Columbia High School is an extremely diverse school ethnically, with just over half the students being of African-American heritage and just under half being Caucasian. Historically, there have been questions regarding the Racial Academic Achievement Gap in the school district. Most recently, there was a protest during the 2004-2005 school year by the student run Martin Luther King Association organization demanding an increase in access to higher level academics for minorities in the district.

Related Topics:
Diverse - African-American - Caucasian - Racial Academic Achievement Gap

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