The Charles M. Hall School, constructed on East Howe Street in 1926, provided education to African American students in grades one through twelve until 1968, when it closed due to desegregation. It was part of the new City of Alcoa's efforts to build a series of schools. It was preceded by a school for African American students established in 1918 on the top floor of the commercial building at the corner of East Howe and Hall Road. The first principal, John T. Arter, provided inspirational leadership in these early years.