(October 4, 2024) The Rochester City School District proudly celebrated a significant milestone yesterday with the official naming of one of its new middle schools: Loretta Johnson Middle School. On Thursday, October 3, students, families, and community members gathered at the Genesee Street school.
In February of 2024, the Board of Education voted to honor Loretta Johnson, a remarkable figure in Rochester’s educational landscape, by naming the school after her. Ms. Johnson, who joined the Rochester school community in 1979 as an elementary teacher, later became the first woman to serve as Interim Superintendent from 1994 to 1995.
“She believed in the Rochester City School District and was dedicated to education,” said Camaron Johnson, Loretta’s daughter and the Executive Director of Health, Physical Education, and Athletics for the District. “To me, she was just mom – serious, dedicated, and always wanting to open doors for students and provide opportunities she felt she didn’t have growing up.”
Thursday’s celebration completed all ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the new middle schools in the District including; Andrew Langston Middle School, Dr. Freddie Thomas Middle School, and Thurgood Marshall Middle School.
