Lakeland High was the first of the two white high schools in Lakeland to accept Black students.  A few Black students began transferring from Rochelle High to Lakeland High during the 1965-66 academic year.

The Black students who transferred were among various grades.  A couple were upcoming seniors, some were sophomores and some were freshmen.  The first Blacks students graduated from Lakeland High in 1966.

From the mid-1960s to 1969, Lakeland High also hired some Black teachers.  After Rochelle High was closed at the end of the 1969 academic year, Lakeland High acquired several Black teachers and administrators from Rochelle High.

View some of the Black graduates and teachers at Lakeland High during the 1960s.

Mr Balloon

Ms Brown

Mr Morris