T.C. Williams High School

T.C. Williams High School is the sole public high school in Alexandria, Virginia. Named for a former superintendent of schools who served from the mid-1930s to the mid-1960s, it is located near the geographic center of the city, at 3330 King Street. It is referred to informally as "T.C." (rather than "Williams") by students, faculty and locals.

Related Topics:
Alexandria, Virginia - 1930s - 1960s

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The school and its legendary former football coach, Herman Boone, were featured in the Walt Disney motion picture Remember the Titans, starring Denzel Washington. The movie depicted the integration of the Alexandria City Public Schools in the early 1970s, focusing on the school's successful football program. T.C. Williams remains one of the most diverse schools in Virginia, with a large number of immigrant students in addition to the black and white communities depicted in the movies. The school's atrium features hundreds of flags from countries that have been represented in the student body.

Related Topics:
Walt Disney - Remember the Titans - Denzel Washington

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T.C. Williams is unique not only for its diversity, but also for its educational philosophy. Unlike most Virginia jurisdictions, students from Alexandria do not feed into statewide magnet programs such as the one at nearby Thomas Jefferson High School, thus avoiding much of the educational and economic stratification found in other suburban communities. That approach hasn't hurt T.C.--each year, dozens of graduates go on to elite colleges, and T.C. Williams has won numerous statewide academic and scientific competitions.

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In addition to being academically successful, T.C. Williams is one of the first high schools in the nation to offer laptops to all of its students. The laptop initiative, which began in the 2004-2005 school year, provided every student with their own personal computer as well as campus-wide wireless internet access.

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The school is also known for its nationally and internationally competitive rowing program, which has its own boathouse on the Alexandria bank of the Potomac River. The program has produced several Olympic athletes. T.C. Williams' Junior ROTC program is also quite successful, traveling to competitions up and down the East Coast.

Related Topics:
Rowing - Potomac River - Olympic

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