School History

Marshall Elementary School is named in honor of Thurgood Marshall (1908–1993), a trailblazing civil rights attorney and the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice. His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and education continues to inspire generations.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Thurgood Marshall was the grandson of a slave. His father instilled in him a deep appreciation for the Constitution and the rule of law. After being denied admission to the University of Maryland Law School due to racial segregation, Marshall attended Howard University Law School, where he was mentored by Charles Hamilton Houston. Together, they worked to dismantle segregation and racial injustice in America.

Marshall’s legal career was defined by his fight for civil rights. As Chief Counsel for the NAACP, he successfully argued landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which led to the desegregation of public schools. He later served as a U.S. Court of Appeals judge and as the U.S. Solicitor General before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 1967 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Marshall Elementary School upholds the values that Thurgood Marshall championed—justice, perseverance, and the power of education. His belief that "education is the great equalizer" aligns with our mission to provide every student with the tools to succeed and advocate for themselves and their community.

Marshall’s dedication to ensuring fairness for all serves as a guiding principle for our students. His words, "The measure of a country’s greatness is its ability to retain compassion in times of crisis," remind us that empathy and resilience are key to shaping a brighter future. At Marshall Elementary, we strive to empower students to become leaders who stand for equality and positive change.