Kimberly Elementary Named for Lucas Kimberly, Atlanta Education Leader for 48 Years

Lucas O. Kimberly was an Atlanta area educator for 48 years. Upon his retirement as Principal of Hoke Smith Junior High, the school's newspaper, The Vanguard, reported he had taught over 33,000 students, many of whom became leaders in Georgia and throughout the nation. One of his former pupils was Mr. Ed S. Cook, Chairman of the Atlanta Board of Education at the time of Kimberly's retirement, and an opponent of desegregating Atlanta public schools.

Kimberly was born in Clayton County in 1869. He attended school in Clayton and completed high school at 15. After high school, he attended a private school of higher learning while attempting to overcome a physical disability. After gaining experience as a teacher and a principal, he earned a certificate in Educational Psychology in 1907 from the University of Tennessee. He also completed work in Educational Psychology at Emory University in 1924.

Kimberly began his career as a high school teacher in 1890. He taught high school in Hemphill, Georgia, at Battle Hill School, and in Atlanta's Ben Hill area before serving as principal of high schools in Austell and Clayton County.

After returning from the University of Tennessee, Mr. Kimberly resumed his educational career. First, he taught English, mathematics, and commercial subjects at Boys High School (now Grady High School). He was also head of the mathematics department and then Assistant Principal at Commercial High School.

When Atlanta began to establish junior high schools, Mr. Kimberly was appointed the first principal of Hoke Smith Junior High School. He remained at Hoke Smith for 15 years, retiring in May of 1933. The Vanguard reported that Mr. Kimberly helped raise funds for the improvement of the school and for the students. He once raised $3,000, which “made it possible for more children to attend school by providing them with clothing, lunches, and medical care,” the student paper reported.

Lucas O. Kimberly, 3090 McMurray Drive, in Southwest Atlanta was established in 1959 in his honor. Atlanta Public School's archives states that the first student body at Lucas O. Kimberly Elementary had a student population of 525 students, including 17 sets of twins!