Students and Faculty of Northside High School

"For some time, I've been hearing about a school in Atlanta that's made a big comeback. About 10 years ago it was in academic trouble. But now the SAT scores of its students keep going up and up; in fact, they've been going up for 8 years. And the school is now rated one of the best educational establishments in the Nation.

I've been told that 7 years ago the school has so much trouble getting students involved in student activities that they held a big school dance with no admission charge, and only one student showed up. [Laughter]

But now, school spirit has returned and getting involved again, and the school has a performing arts program that I can see for myself rivals the TV show, ``Fame.''

Eight years ago the school could barely get anyone to go out for sports. But in 1982 this school graduated a young man named Sam Graddy, who helped America win the gold in the 400-meter relay at the 1984 Olympics."

From President Reagan's remarks at Northside High School in Atlanta, Georgia

June 6, 1985