History of Stranahan High School in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 21, 2025

Stranahan High School is a public high school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, established in 1953. It operates as part of the Broward County Public Schools district. Initially serving only white students, Stranahan holds historical significance as the school where Chester Seabury became the first African-American to graduate from a formerly all-white high school in Florida in 1963, marking an important milestone in desegregation.

1953: Stranahan High School Opens

In 1953, Stranahan High School officially opened as an elementary school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as part of the Broward County Public Schools district.

1957: Stranahan Opens as a High School

In 1957, Stranahan officially opened as a high school, adding grades progressively due to rapid population growth.

1963: First African-American Graduate

In 1963, Chester Seabury became the first African-American student to graduate from a formerly all-white high school in Florida, marking a significant milestone at Stranahan High School.

1966: Kenneth Dale Haun's Tenure as Principal Ends

In 1966, Kenneth Dale Haun's tenure as principal ended; he had been with the school since its opening and helped design the campus.

1997: Magnet Program's First Graduating Class

In 1997, Stranahan High School's engineering and medical sciences magnet program saw its first graduating class.

2005: Gates Grant Received

In 2005, Stranahan High School received a Gates Grant, initiating a transition to small learning communities.

2007: "Inspiration Award" and Top School Recognition

In 2007, Stranahan High School was recognized by the College Board with an "Inspiration Award" for minority student achievement in Advanced Placement classes. It was also recognized by Newsweek magazine as one of the top 500 high schools in the country, despite being classified as a "C" school by the Florida Department of Education.

2013: Stranahan Receives "B" Grade

In 2013, Stranahan High School received an FCAT school grade of "B" for the academic year.

2021: Student Enrollment and Ethnic Makeup

As of the 2021 school year, the student enrollment was 1,499 with the ethnic makeup of the school reported as 33.4% White, 63.6% Black, 29.5% Hispanic, 0.7% Asian, 1.9% Multiracial, 0.3% Native American or Native Alaskan, and 0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.