Jackson P. Burley High School

The City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County opened Jackson P. Burley High School in Sept. 1951 to serve nearly 550 African American students. The 26-classroom building reflected an effort to provide “separate but equal” facilities in an era when lawsuits frequently challenged poor conditions in Black schools. Burley, named for a local educator, replaced Albemarle Training School, Esmont High School, and Jefferson High School and also drew students from Greene and Nelson Counties. The 1956 football team was undefeated and unscored on. In partnership with the University of Virginia, Burley’s licensed practical nursing program trained about 150 nurses. Burley High closed in 1967.

Department of Historic Resources, 2021