Stivers School for the Arts, high school in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
Stivers School for the Arts is a public high school in Dayton that serves students in grades 7 through 12 with a focus on visual and performing arts. The historic building, completed in 1914, was renovated in the 2000s and now offers more than 215,000 square feet of space that blends original architectural features with modern facilities.
Founded in 1908 to relieve overcrowding at other high schools in Dayton, the school was named after Captain Stivers. After decades as a traditional school, it refocused on arts education starting in 1990 and was officially transformed into an arts-focused high school in 2000.
The school is named after Captain Charles Bryan Stivers, a Civil War veteran who later served as a principal. This naming reflects how the community honors local figures and connects history with its educational mission today.
The school is located in the St. Anne's Hill neighborhood with quiet streets and historic buildings nearby, easily accessible from downtown Dayton. Visitors can view the historic exterior facade, but interior access is usually limited to school events and open houses.
Milton Caniff, a famous cartoonist known for creating comic strips like Terry and the Pirates, was an alumnus who drew caricatures for the school yearbook. A street near the school was later renamed Milton Caniff Drive to honor his legacy.
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