Sources: ;xNLx;~The Falcon's Cry;xNLx;~ "Not the End, but the Beginning: The Impact of Race and Class on the HIstory of Jordan High School, 1963-1988" by Brian McDonald, 2013, Patterson and Quinn Press;xNLx;;xNLx;Created by Erin Shafer, JHS c/o 2015
Jordan High School opens as the first desegregated high school in the Durham County School system. John Smith is the school's first principal.
Jordan's first pep rally held in the school gym. John Popson is the school's first athletic director.
Jordan forms its first Athletic Booster Club and PTSA. Both organizations are still very active in the school today.
Jordan publishes its very own fight song!
Thomas Teer becomes Jordan's second principal.
Principal John Smith returns after a one year sabbatical.
Wayne Quinton is named principal.
The basketball team wins the State Championship under the leadership of Coach Doug Kistler.
James Sills is named principal, and remains Jordan's longest serving principal, leading for 23 years.
Debbie Blalock becomes the first female on JHS Student Council.
Black students at Jordan present a petition to Mr. Sills for representation on the Homecoming Court. Sylvia Jones represents black students on the Homecoming Court.
A dress code alteration allows girls to wear pants to school for the first time.
Jordan's cheerleaders are attacked at an away game at Enloe. Enloe's student council president later apologizes in the Falcon's Cry.
Independent study programs begin at JHS. These programs still exist today.
When Principal James Sills did not give permission for the African Dance group to perform during the school day, many African Americans at Jordan protested with a demonstration in the halls. After discussion with Mr. Sills a few days later, the dance group was allowed to perform after school. Many white students signed out of school the day of the performance in their own protest.
English teacher Elnora Shields becomes the first teacher of the Black Humanities that began at Jordan. This class exists today in the form of Minority Studies.
Jordan students and teacher Elnora Shields begin the Organization of Students Interested in Black Affairs as a response to racial tensions at Jordan.
Charles Guess becomes the first black administrator at Jordan.
Jordan's football stadium is constructed. The field is still in use today.
About 50 black and white students hosted a sit-in in Jordan's lobby to protest racial disharmony in the school. Principal Sills began a Human Relations Comittee as a response.
Girls Track and Field wins the State Championship under the leadership of Coach John Gray, who still coaches girls track today.
The 300 wing is constructed. This building now houses English, Science, Math and Social Studies classrooms.
The 400 wing is constructed. This building is home to English and History classrooms.
Girls Volleyball wins their first State Championship. They would go on to win the state title in 1984, 1985, 1986,1989, and 1990 under the leadership of Coach Ann Harris (1967-1997).
Girls Tennis wins the State Championship under Coach Wallis Green.
Mens Swimming wins the State Championship. They would go on to win in 1988 and 1992. The Jordan Jellies were coached by Jim Maxwell, who coached for 29 years.
Jordan's yearbook, the Talon, is printed in color for the first time.
Githens Junior High School relocates from the Jordan Building to its own facility.
The first Freshman class attends Jordan.
Mens Golf wins the State Championship under the leadership Larry Junkin.
Grades are weighted for advanced classes. Jordan guidance still utilizes this practice today.
The Future Farmers of America meets for the first time.
Jordan's dance club evolves into Dance class, an elective still offered today.
Girls Swimming wins the State Championship for the first time. They will go on to win the state title again in 1992. The Lady Jellies were also coached by Jim Maxwell.
Mens Wrestling wins the State Championship under Coach and Athletic Director Randy Rogers.
Mens Soccer wins the State Championship. They will go on to win the state title in 2001 and 2010.
Randy Rogers retires as the head Wrestling Coach to take over the position of Athletic Director. In honor of his service as a coach and AD, the JHS wrestling complex is named in his honor.
Harold Rogers is named principal.
Durham County School District merges with the Durham City School District to form Durham Public Schools. This results in a greater population of black students at all high schools in the district, causing some racial tensions.
Jordan begins renovations that will bring airconditioning, a band room, and a "science wing" to the school.
Jordan bans smoking on its campus, a policy that is still stringently enforced today.
Delia Robinson is named principal.
A new school library is constructed in the place of the old courtyard.
Jordan begins providing sex education for its students.
Jordan gets access to the Internet. The staff launches a webpage, and the Falcon's Cry is published online.
Jordan establishes its Alumni Association. Stephen Barringer is the current President of the Alumni Association.
Jordan constructs its press box by the football field.
Jordan names its first valedictorian at graduation.
Rodney Nelson is named principal.
David Davis is appointed as Jordan's third athletic director.
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