Grace King was built in the late 1960s as a high school, opening its doors in 1968 as an all-girls public school serving Jefferson Parish; remaining such until the 1980s, when it became co-ed.[6]
The school, which served Grades 9–12, was a part of the Jefferson Parish Public Schools system. The school served unincorporated portions of Jefferson Parish and a portion of the city of Kenner. The school was named for Grace King (d. 1932), a New Orleans writer and scholar of Louisiana history. The school's mascot was Lucky, the (Fighting Irish) Leprechaun, and the school colors were hunter green, white, and gold.
During Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005, the school suffered damage to its gymnasium's roof, and housed a National Guard troop until the school reopened in October 2005. Grace King High School recently[when?] completed building a minigolf course that is accessible to students who are confined to wheelchairs or crutches.
On May 24, 2023, Grace King High School permanently closed, with Haynes Academy now using the campus. The zoning boundary for King was divided between the boundaries of Alfred Bonnabel High School and Riverdale High School.[6] The school community criticized the closure.[7]
Demographics
Grace King courtyard and putt-putt course
In May 2023, 64% of the students were Hispanic or Latino, 19% were non-Hispanic Black or African-American, and 12% were non-Hispanic White. There were 1,280 students total.[6]
Athletics
Grace King athletic teams participated as a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA).[8] The school's athletic teams compete with eight additional teams classified at the Class 5A level, within District 8.[9]
East Jefferson and Bonnabel High School were the Irish's biggest opponents.
Donna Brazile, campaign manager for the Al Gore/Joe Lieberman presidential ticket in 2000, was the first African-American to direct a major presidential campaign.[11]
