History of Archie Williams High School in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 20, 2025

Archie Williams High School, located in San Anselmo, California, is a public secondary school. Originally named Sir Francis Drake High School, its name was changed in 2021 following the George Floyd protests due to Drake's connection to slavery. The school is now named after Archie Williams, a former math and computing teacher at the school who also achieved distinction as a 1936 Olympic gold medalist, a Tuskegee Airman flight instructor, and one of the first African-American meteorologists. The name change reflects a broader societal reevaluation of historical figures and their legacies.

1936: Archie Williams wins gold medal

In 1936, Archie Williams, the school's namesake, won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics. He was later a math and computing teacher at the school.

1951: Establishment to serve multiple towns

In 1951, Sir Francis Drake High School was established to serve students in grades 9–12 from Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield, Greenbrae, Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax, Woodacre, Lagunitas, Forest Knolls, San Geronimo, and Nicasio.

1951: Establishment of Sir Francis Drake High School

In 1951, the school was established as Sir Francis Drake High School, becoming the second high school in the Tamalpais Union High School District.

1958: Opening of Redwood High School

In 1958, Redwood High School opened to accommodate students from Corte Madera, Larkspur, Kentfield, Ross, and Greenbrae, which were previously served by Sir Francis Drake High School.

1971: Establishment of "School Within A School"

From 1971, Drake High School operated a separate "School Within A School" (SWAS) for students who wanted to explore alternative community-building, interactive, and experiential pedagogy.

1982: Basketball teams win state title

In 1982, both the boys and girls basketball teams at Drake High School won the state division II title.

1984: End of "School Within A School"

In 1984, Drake High School ended its "School Within A School" (SWAS) program, which had been in operation since 1971.

1986: Jolly Roger newspaper published

In 1986, the school newspaper, originally named the Jolly Roger, was published almost every month.

1988: Jolly Roger wins Silver Crown Award

In 1988, the 1986-87 edition of the Jolly Roger, the school newspaper, won Columbia University’s Silver Crown Award for high school newspapers.

1990: Designated as Next Century School

In 1990, the school was designated as a Next Century School by the RJR Nabisco Foundation for its "entrepreneurship in education."

1992: Start of small learning communities program

In 1992, Drake High School began a new program of small learning communities due to the poor performance of students, which was affecting the perception of the school.

1995: Implementation of small learning communities

By 1995, Drake High School had implemented a new program of small learning communities to address poor student performance.

1996: State grant for small learning communities

In 1996, Drake High School received a state grant for its small learning communities program.

1997: State grant for small learning communities

In 1997, Drake High School was awarded a state grant to support its small learning communities program.

1999: Designated as a California Distinguished School

In 1999, Drake High School was designated as a California Distinguished School.

2000: Second state grant for small learning communities

In 2000, Drake High School received a second state grant to further support its small learning communities program.

2003: Recognized as a Bay Area Green Business School

In 2003, Drake High School was the first high school to be recognized as a Bay Area Green Business School for its environmental awareness around campus.

2004: Mountain bike team NorCal League champions

In 2004, the school's NICA NorCal League mountain bike team won the NorCal League championship.

2006: Mountain bike team NorCal League champions

In 2006, the school's NICA NorCal League mountain bike team won the NorCal League championship.

2009: Mountain bike team wins championships

In 2009, the school's NICA NorCal League mountain bike team won both the NorCal League championship and the California State championship.

2012: Mountain bike team California State champions

In 2012, the school's NICA NorCal League mountain bike team won the California State championship.

2014: Boys basketball team loses in state championship

In 2014, the boys basketball team at Drake High School returned to the state championship but lost the game.

2015: Graduation rate at 99%

In 2015, Archie Williams High School, then known as Sir Francis Drake High School, achieved a graduation rate of approximately 99%.

2015: Mountain bike team wins championships

In 2015, the school's NICA NorCal League mountain bike team won both the NorCal League championship and the California State championship.

2017: Mountain bike team NorCal League champions

In 2017, the school's NICA NorCal League mountain bike team won the NorCal League championship.

2018: Mountain bike team California State champions

In 2018, the school's NICA NorCal League mountain bike team won the California State championship.

May 6, 2021: Committee vote to rename the school

On May 6, 2021, an elected school committee composed of students, parents and staff voted to rename the school after former teacher and Olympic athlete Archie Williams.

May 11, 2021: School board approves name change

On May 11, 2021, the Tamalpais United School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the renaming of Sir Francis Drake High School to Archie Williams High School.

2021: Newspaper changes name to The Pitch

Following the school's name change in 2021, the school newspaper also changed its name from Jolly Roger to The Pitch.

2021: Name change to Archie Williams High School

In 2021, the school's name was changed from Sir Francis Drake High School to Archie Williams High School. This change occurred after the George Floyd protests led to a reexamination of place names and monuments connected to racism.