Hoffman-Boston School
In 1915, Hoffman-Boston took shape as the first junior high school for African-Americans in Arlington
The school's nomenclature was chosen to honor two remarkable individuals who had made enduring contributions as principals in the African-American country schools: Edward Clarendon Hoffman and Ella Boston.
On October 20, 1931, Hoffman-Boston Junior-Senior High School was dedicated. It replaced the older, 4-room school known as Jefferson, situated on roughly the same site. The school's nomenclature was chosen to honor two remarkable individuals who had made enduring contributions as principals in the African-American country schools: Edward Clarendon Hoffman and Ella Boston.
Edward Clarendon Hoffman, born in 1866 in Freedman's Village, earned respect within the community throughout his lifetime. His longstanding involvement included serving on the Board of Directors of the Lomax Church when the new building was erected in 1922. He was also instrumental in founding the Nauck Citizens Association in 1926, an organization that continues to make a difference in the Arlington community. Edward Hoffman passed away in 1926, leaving behind a legacy of community engagement and dedication.
Ella Boston's journey in education was equally impactful. She commenced her teaching career at the old Rosslyn School in 1891 and served there until 1904, at which point she relocated to the Kemper School in Green Valley. At Kemper School, she initially filled the role of the sole teacher and eventually assumed the position of principal for an extended period. Ella Boston's dedication to education and her students left a lasting imprint on the community.
In 1915, Hoffman-Boston took shape as the first junior high school for African-Americans in Arlington. This development was spurred by parents with children attending the Jefferson School, who advocated for a new school to be built in their vicinity. The dedication ceremony in 1931 was particularly momentous as it signified the expansion of Hoffman-Boston to become the county's first senior high school as well. Subsequently, the school evolved into an alternative education center.
The legacy of Hoffman-Boston transcends time, finding its way into the present-day educational landscape of Arlington. The name "Hoffman-Boston" has been incorporated into the title of the H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program, which found its home in the Stratford School building and has undergone renaming over the years. The original Hoffman-Boston school building was meticulously renovated and reopened in 2000, giving rise to Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, a testament to the enduring impact and legacy of this educational institution in Arlington's history.
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