ABBEVILE, La (KLFY) — James Herod High School, the first and only African American high school in Abbeville, provided education for students from its opening in 1955 until its closure in the 1970s. The institution shuttered its doors following desegregation efforts within the parish.
The school’s namesake is recognized by the Vermilion Parish Historical Society for his significant influence on the parish education system. Today, the legacy of the institution is preserved through the operation of James Herod Elementary School and the professional success of the high school’s alumni.
James Herod High School served as a central institution for the community for over a decade. During its years of operation, it remained the sole high school for African American students in the city of Abbeville. The curriculum was designed to support a full range of primary and secondary education, serving children from the first grade through their graduation from the twelth grade…