Dorothy Counts was one of the first black students admitted to the Harry Harding High School in 1957. She was one of the four black students enrolled at various all-white schools in the district for the first time in American history. After four days of massive harassment that threatened her safety, her parents forced her to withdraw from the school.
Over one thousand people turned out for a meeting on the school boards proposal to close Harding University High School located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The School Board on October 25, reversed its decision to close EE Waddell High School which is named after one of the school board's member's late husband. This decision meant that Harding University High School would be closed.
EE Waddell High School has a graduation rate of around 52%, its student population is predominately Black and there have been reported cases of student behavioral problems.
Harry P. Harding University High School which has a predominately Black student population was established in 1992 as a Math, Science and Technology school in Charlotte, North Carolina. International Baccalaureate was added to the established program in 1995. The school has a 84% graduation rate.
Since March 2000, Harding has repeatedly been on the NewsWeek's Top 100 High Schools in the nation in challenging students to undertake rigorous "Advanced Placement" (AP) and "International Baccalaureate" (IB) classes.
The Harding University High School Band of Gold which is led by director Anthony Jones was chosen in January 2009 to participate in the 56th Inaugural Parade of President Barack Obama.
Harding's was the only band chosen from North Carolina to march in the parade. The 110 person marching band made headlines for the fifty thousand dollars needed to travel to Washington, but were initially unable to raise the funds. Supporters across North Carolina made contributions to the band including Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, who donated $25,000
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board is set to vote on the list of school closings November 9.