ST. JOSEPH, La. (KNOE) – Long before equal access to education was guaranteed, Black families in Tensas Parish worked to build opportunity from the ground up.
In the early 1900s, thousands of Rosenwald Schools were constructed across the South to provide education for Black children during segregation. One of them was Tensas Rosenwald High School, which became a cornerstone of education in St. Joseph.
They were built through a partnership between philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and Black communities that raised funds, donated land, and helped construct the buildings themselves. In many rural areas, those schools filled a gap where public funding for Black education was limited or nonexistent.
In Tensas Parish, Rosenwald served as the only high school available to Black students for decades.
“The schools basically covered from first grade to eighth grade,” said Tensas Parish historian John Black. “And beyond eighth grade you had to make a concerted effort to continue your education.”
That made Tensas Rosenwald High School especially significant.
The school offered more than basic academics. Students studied agriculture and industrial arts, but they also built a legacy of excellence in extracurricular activities.
“It was a leader in the community,” Black said. “I’ve got trophy cases in there…but it wasn’t just about athletics. There were choir trophies, speech and drama trophies. It was a well-rounded education that the students received there.”
The school operated from the late 1920s until 1970, when it closed following integration.
Today, the original structure still stands in St. Joseph. It’s a visible reminder of a time when Black education required sacrifice, determination and unity.
Lawrence Thorns, a member of the Class of 1969 and Tensas Reunion Inc. President, said the impact of Rosenwald extended far beyond graduation day.
“In order to know who you are and where you came from and the direction in which you are going, we all need to know our rich history,” Thorns said. “We all became vital citizens in the community and in the government, all parts of our life because of the educational background we received at Rosenwald.”
Community members said preserving the school’s history is critical, not just for former students but for future generations.
For many families in Tensas Parish, Tensas Rosenwald High School represents more than a building. It stands as proof that when opportunity was not provided, the community built it themselves.
Click here for more Tensas Parish news.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
