About Woodlawn High School
History of Woodlawn
Woodlawn High School – The Beginning of a Legacy
Woodlawn High School had its beginning in 1888 in a one room school called Rosedale School. A new school house, named Hillman School, was built on the corner of Hoo Shoo Too and Tiger Bend Road in 1895. In 1910, Jones Creek School was built for students who lived in the Jones Creek area. The community agreed to consolidate the two schools under the name Seventh Ward School in 1911. After World War II, the population in the area increased and the two building school did not have adequate space for the increased student population. In 1949, construction of new buildings for the school began.
Since the area was no longer called the Seventh Ward, the PTA held a contest to select a new name for the school. The name “Woodlawn”, submitted by Mrs. W.H. Woodward, was chosen. As the school continued to grow, new buildings were added.
Unfortunately, the original school building and surrounding buildings were unknowingly built on a fault line, which caused the buildings to constantly shift. This shifting eventually led to the deterioration of these school buildings. Tax payers agreed to fund the building of a new Woodlawn High School in a new location only a few miles away on Jefferson Highway. The new Woodlawn High School was the first new school to be built in East Baton Rouge Parish in 30 years. The new school opened its doors in 2003 and now houses over 1100 students.
History of Woodlawn
The Beginning of a Legacy
The history of Woodlawn High School dates back more than a century and reflects the growth, resilience, and spirit of the surrounding community.
Education in the Woodlawn area began in 1888 with a one-room schoolhouse known as Rosedale School, serving families in what was then a rural part of East Baton Rouge Parish. As the community grew, a larger facility—Hillman School—was constructed in 1895 at the corner of Hoo Shoo Too Road and Tiger Bend Road.
By 1910, the nearby Jones Creek School was established to educate students living farther east. Recognizing the benefits of uniting resources, the community voted in 1911 to consolidate Hillman School and Jones Creek School under the name Seventh Ward School. This institution became the earliest direct predecessor of today’s Woodlawn High School.
Post-War Growth and the Name “Woodlawn”
Following World War II, population growth in the area placed increased demands on the Seventh Ward School facilities. By 1949, construction began on new school buildings to better serve the expanding student population.
At the same time, because the area was no longer commonly known as the Seventh Ward, the school’s Parent-Teacher Association held a naming contest to reflect the community’s evolving identity. The name “Woodlawn”, submitted by Mrs. W. H. Woodward, was selected, officially establishing Woodlawn High School as it is recognized today.
While Woodlawn’s roots extend back to 1888, 1949 is widely recognized as the year Woodlawn High School formally became a distinct secondary school.
The Original Campus and Structural Challenges
For decades, Woodlawn High School operated on its original campus near Tiger Bend Road. Over time, however, serious structural problems emerged. The school buildings had unknowingly been constructed along the Baton Rouge fault line, causing gradual shifting, cracking, and deterioration.
By the 1970s, these issues had become increasingly severe. Portions of the campus—including fine arts and auditorium spaces—were eventually deemed unsafe and closed. Despite renovations and repairs over the years, it became clear that a full replacement was necessary to ensure student safety and modern learning conditions.
A New Home on Jefferson Highway
With strong community support, East Baton Rouge Parish voters approved funding for a new Woodlawn High School campus. In 2003, the current school opened on Jefferson Highway, marking a major milestone in the school’s history.
The new Woodlawn High School became the first newly constructed public high school in East Baton Rouge Parish in more than 30 years, offering modern classrooms, athletic facilities, and learning spaces designed for 21st-century education. Shortly after the move, the original Tiger Bend Road campus was demolished, and the site later became home to Woodlawn Middle School.
Honoring the Past, Building the Future
In 2019, Woodlawn High School celebrated the 70th anniversary of its naming, welcoming alumni, former faculty, and community members back to campus to honor the school’s long-standing legacy.
Today, Woodlawn High School proudly serves over 1,400 students in grades 9–12 as part of the East Baton Rouge Parish Public School System. The school continues to uphold its tradition of excellence through academics, athletics, fine arts, career and technical education, and student leadership—preparing Panthers for success beyond graduation.
