James Hunt

BTW Class of 1957

Education

Mr. James Hunt is a 1957 graduate of Booker T. Washington High School. He received scholarship offers from Florida A & M. University, BethuneCookman College, South Carolina State and Claflin College of South Carolina. From these offers, he selected Florida A & M. University and

James & Elsa Hunt

graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He graduated in 1973 from the University of Miami receiving a Master’s of Science degree.

Mr. Hunt was employed for forty-one years by the Dade County Public Schools from 1962-2003. During this tenure, he served as a principal/administrator for twenty years. He is the only three times Principal/ Administrator of the Year for the Dade County Public Schools. He received this honor in 1983, 1990, and 1998.

In 1981, James Hunt was appointed principal of Booker T. Washington Junior High School; his alma mater. Booker Washington was perceived as an inner-city school with symptoms of academic deficient and low student and staff morale. Mr. Hunt implemented a restructured curriculum, aggressive program initiatives, parental and community involvement that turned this school around in a positive direction. While principal at Booker T. Washington, the school received the Meritorious Distinction QUIPP School honor from 1985-1987.

Mr. Hunt served as principal of Miami Carol City Senior High School from 1987-1994. At the time of his appointment, this school also suffered from the perception of low student achievement, low membership in high level courses and low graduation rates. Mr. Hunt designed and implemented programs to address these concerns. Membership in classes such as physics rose from five students to six classes in three years. The 1992 HSCT scores showed the highest percent of increase in the state of Florida (23 percent in math-15 percent in reading). In 1989, guidelines were developed and implemented for a Criminal Justice-Pre Law Magnet. This program received national recognition.

Program initiatives such as Saturday Academy, tutorial programs before and after school were replicated at Norland Middle School. Under Mr. Hunt leadership these initiatives were expanded and enhanced the overall academic curriculum.

In addition to Mr. Hunt’s contribution to education, he has provided leadership in many community organizations including Omega Psi Fraternity, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Miami, Elks Lodge No.303, their YMCA (Carver Branch) and NABSE.

Mr. Hunt is the founder and charter president of Overtown Optimist Club, Inc, It was organized in 1985. The club is affiliated with Optimist International, an association of more than 3,800 service clubs in the United States and Canada.

Editors Note. During the publication of this booklet, James Hunt, 80 years old, passed away on October 30, 2018.