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The School that is now
duPont Manual High School is a combination of two separate older schools. The
Louisville Girls High School and duPont Manual Training High School. The
Louisville Girls High School began operation in April, 1856. Originally located
in an old building at Center and Walnut streets, it started with an enrollment
of sixty-nine and a faculty of three. The Louisville Girls School moved three
times during its history as it continued to grow. By 1923, the new building at
5th and Hill could comfortably house only 1400 students but had over 2600. This
overcrowding was somewhat relieved with the opening of Atherton and then
Shawnee High Schools, but once again a new building was needed.
Architect J. Meerick Colley was hired to design a new facility to be located at 2nd and Lee. Built by the Rommel Co. in 1933, the massive Collegiate Gothic structure was named Reuben Post Halleck Hall after prominent local educator and textbook author, Reuben Post Halleck. It is one of the most ambitious school plants built in Louisville in the 20th century. The front portion of the original structure is U-shaped with two rear projecting wings which form two courtyards. The central entry is marked by a five story tower framed by three double doors set between gothic pilasters with huge stone arched transoms.  duPont Manual Training
High School had been founded in October, 1892. It was funded by a generous
donation by Mr. A.V. duPont. The school was originally located at the corner of
Brook and Oak streets with an enrollment of 109 boys. The original purpose of
the school was to provide young men with a system of education which would fit
them, in a more direct and positive manner, for the actual duties of life. The
school was to provide three years of high school and prepare a large number of
boys with skills to earn their living in industrial pursuits.
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| Alma Mater | |
| Dear Manual, to
thee we raise, Our hymn of praises due, A guiding star through all our days. Friend and mentor true, Manual! Manual! Hail, all hail, to thee; All our lives to thee we pledge In love and loyalty. |
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| Creed of duPont Manual | |
| I believe in duPont Manual as a school of high standards of scholarship, sportsmanship, and service, where all work for the common good. I, therefore, pledge myself to obey established authority, accept responsibility for my own conduct, and so honor our colors that the Crimson and White will ever be the symbol of a school of lofty purpose and democratic ideals. | |
 During the years
1915-1919, the school board decided that there was not sufficient funds to run
two boys schools as separate units. Manual was merged with Louisville Boys High
(Male) and ceased to exist except as an auxiliary unit under the guise of
"economy and efficiency." The consolidation remained in force until
1919.
In September, 1950, the advent of coeducation brought about the merger of the Louisville Girls High School and duPont Manual Training High School. The new school was renamed duPont Manual High School.  Today Manual
is a blend of traditional education and innovative trends. With a student body
of 1780 and a teaching faculty of ninety-seven, three assistant principals, a
head principal and three guidance counselors, Manual continues to thrive. In
1978, the Youth Performing Arts School became part of Manual. Manual became a
magnet school in August, 1984. Today the school has five magnet programs. The
Youth Performing Arts School magnet, the Math, Science and Technology magnet,
the Visual Arts magnet, the High School University magnet, and the
Communications Media Arts magnet.In October of 2002 the duPont Manual web site, duPontManual.com, was created through donations from web design and hosting companies. The site's goal was to better serve the community, through ease of access and fast communication of news. Since its creation, it has surpassed all expectations of the site and proved to be a true value of the school. |