• First Baptist Church (Riley St.) in Roanoke, AL
    2013 RCTS Reunion
  • The 1949 RCTS Building
    The 1949 RCTS Building
  • 1934 -- Fourth and Fifth Grade Classes
    1934
    Fourth and Fifth Grade Classes

The Randolph County Training School Scholarship Foundation

The Randolph County Training School Scholarship Foundation (RCTSSF) is a not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Alabama in 2005. Headquartered in Roanoke, AL, the foundation was organized to assist graduates of Randolph County Alabama high schools through scholarships awards. The Board of Directors consists of a Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and other board members.

History of The Randolph County Training School

The Randolph County Training School was a foundation for the African American community and its children for 51 years. Located on US Highway 431 just outside the city limits of Roanoke, Alabama, it was one of the area’s most important educational institutions. Prime centrally located land for the school was purchased from the Roanoke Guano Company between 1917 and 1918.
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Class Reunions

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School History

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RCTS Foundation Scholarships

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Donation To RCTS Foundation

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RCTS Celebrates 100 Years

RCTS Celebrates 100 Years

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Reunion (Bulldogs in Florida)

RCTS Reunion (Bulldogs in Florida)

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History (Robert Robinson Taylor) Architect

 Robert Robinson Taylor, the first African-American to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

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RCTS Scholarship Foundation

RCTS Reunion (Bulldogs in Florida)

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Artist representation of the 1949 RCTS Main School Building

1949 RCTS Main School Building

The 1919 building was destroyed by fire in February 1943. The new 1949 school building served as the only high school for Blacks in Randolph County Alabama until the late 1950s when another high school for Blacks (Wedowee High School) was built at Wedowee, the county seat

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Dr. Clarence Lee and Wife’s Generous Contribution Strengthens the RCTS Scholarship Fund's Legacy of Supporting Randolph County Students

Dr. Clarence Lee and his wife are among the most consistent contributors to the RCTS scholarship Fund. They recently made another very generous contribution. The Fund is achieving its twin goal of supporting the educational aspirations of Randolph County, Alabama students, and institutionalizing the RCTS tradition and legacy.

RCTS was a Rosenwald descendant School that served the educational needs of African Americans students for 51 years (1919-1970). We are thankful for Dr. Lee generosity as a son of Alabama, Tuskegee University, and distinguished Howard University professor and Dean.

We are encouraged by the recognition that the RCTS Fund has received from Randolph County’s four high schools in Roanoke, Woodland, Wadley and Wedowee, Alabama. Terry O’Bryan and Kieauna Strickland are 2013 and 2015 RCTS scholarship recipients and Tuskegee University graduates.

Since 2005, we have annually awarded scholarships to students in Randolph County, Alabama to support their college aspirations. We have awarded 105 scholarships!

We hope RCTS alumni and friends will continue to support the RCTS Scholarship Fund and the educational aspirations of students in Randolph County, Alabama. Current updates about the RCTS Scholarship Fund are available at www.rctsfoundation.org. We also have an active Facebook Group (RCTS Legacy and Reunion) where scholarship information is posted. All donated funds continue to be awarded annually as scholarships. No funds are used for administrative or other purposes.

THE HANDLEY HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP 2024 RECIPIENTS

The Randolph County Training School (RCTS), a Rosenwald descendant school, existed between 1919 and 1970 in Roanoke, Alabama on Highway 431 before it was closed pursuit to a federal court desegregation order. RCTS was one of more than 5,000 schools constructed throughout the southern states to support the education of African American children.

Since 2005, with the generous financial support of RCTS alumni and friends, the RCTS Scholarship Fund has awarded 101 scholarships to RCTS descendant students at Handley High School, Wadley High School, Woodland High School, and the Randolph County High School. Fifty-four years since it was closed, the RCTS legacy continues to unfold in the collegiate and career achievements of its scholarship recipients.

Last night at the annual Handley High School awards ceremony, RCTS scholarships were awarded to the following RCTS descendant students: D'Niya Winston, Ta'Kara Houston, Trinity Nolan, William D. Dean, Talajhia Winston, Shaniah G. Foster, Zanautika Smith, Jestiny Z. Williams, Azorria Higgins, Raquel Joiner, Shareif Thompson, Takeira S. Tucker, Akia A. Brown, Takeriauna Mosley, and T'Marion Phillips.

The Handley High School scholarship recipients are pictured here receiving their awards from Gene A. Thornton ("62). Last week, Talee Sims and Liberty Jade McLain received RCTS scholarships at the Randolph County High School and Wadley High School, respectively.

Additional information about the historic RCTS Rosenwald School is available at: www.rctsfoundation.org. It is an honor to serve as chair of the RCTS Fund. Behind These Silent Walls - Remember and Grow Stronger. (Hattie Peters Clark, beloved RCTS 5th grade teacher).

Demarcus Joiner, one of our 9 scholarship recipients from 2017 photos

At our 2017 RCTS reunion, we awarded 9 scholarships to RCTS descendant students. Demarcus Joiner (4th from the right) was among them. Demarcus is an example of the students to whom we have awarded scholarships since 2005.

Demarcus graduated from Handley High School, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. In his family and him the rich RCTS legacy (1919 to 1970) lives and remains a source of inspiration for our children. We are in the process of awarding our 2024 RCTS scholarships.

We anticipate that 11 students will be awarded scholarships representing Handley High School, Wadley High School and the Randolph County High School. Thanks to all who donated to support our 2024 scholarship awards. Behind These Silent Walls (Hattie Peters Clark)

2021 Thank You Card from beloved RCTS teacher Ms. Countess John Chapman at the age 103 - the oldest surviving graduate of the RCTS Rosenwald descendant school (class of 1938) and teacher

Three years ago, we were graced with a heartfelt thank you message from our cherished RCTS teacher, Ms. Countess John Chapman, expressing her pride and love for us all at the remarkable age of 103. Monday, March 25, 2024, Ms. Chapman will reach another incredible milestone as she celebrates her 106th birthday. She holds the esteemed distinction of being both the oldest living graduate of the RCTS Rosenwald descendant school, class of 1938, and a revered educator within our community.

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Ten 2017 RCTS Scholarship Recipients Attended the Bulldog Banquet in GA with Dr. Alvin Thornton, Chairman of the RCTS Scholarship

Ten 2017 RCTS Scholarship Recipients Attended the Bulldog Banquet in LaGrange, GA. Dr. Alvin Thornton, Chairman of the RCTS Scholarship Foundation, congratulated the scholars on their stellar high school achievements.

RCTS Roy graduated from RCTS in 1957 photos

"My father, King George Thornton, drove the school bus that carried Roy Lee Clark and other Rock Mills and Bacon Level children to RCTS. Roy graduated from RCTS in 1957 with my brother Calvin Thornton. Roy is pictured here with his wife, Bonnie, and at a RCTS reunion picnic...


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RCTS Behind These Silent Walls Booklet Cover

Valuable information on RCTS' history is contained in the 2013 RCTS Reunion Commemorative Program available for a donation of $20 (includes postage to U.S. addresses.) To Order the 2013 Reunion Souvenir Program, send check or money order to: RCTS Scholarship Foundation Attn: 2013 Souvenir Program P.O. Box 1411 Roanoke, AL 36274

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Photo of Scholarhip Application

Don't delay; take the first step towards your educational dreams and apply for the 2024 RCTS Scholarship before March closes. It's easy, straightforward, and could bring you closer to a brighter future. Don't miss this opportunity: apply now!
To apply, download the application. Email or mail the application to The Randolph County Training School Scholarship Foundation, Post Office Box 1411, Roanoke, AL 36274. Visit www.rctsfoundation.org or email info@rctsfoundation.org for more information.

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Benjamin A. Outland, Principal from 55 to 62 spoking at the 2005 RCTS's Class Reunion

At the 2005 RCTS Class Reunion, Dr. Benjamin A. Outland, esteemed Principal from 1955 to 1962, reminisced about the pivotal role of Randolph County Training School in nurturing the African American community of Roanoke, Alabama. This institution, a beacon of education for 51 years, stood proudly on prime land acquired from the Roanoke Guano Company, marking a significant chapter in the area's history.

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