John Marshall High School, known colloquially as Jayem, is a secondary public school located in Richmond, Virginia, part of the Richmond Public Schools, serving grades 9–12.
Named after Founding Father John Marshall, who also served as the fourth chief justice of the United States, the school originally opened in 1909, serving an all-white student body. The original school sat at the intersection of Eighth Street and Marshall Street, and was Richmond's first public high school when it opened. It was located behind the historic John Marshall House.[1][3]
In late 1959, ground was broken for a replacement high school on the grounds of the old Pine Camp Tuberculosis Hospital.[4][5] Several names were considered by the school board, which chose to re-use the John Marshall name.[6][7] Following the 1959–60 school year, the original building was closed, with the new facility welcoming students in the fall of 1960. The original building was demolished in 1961, in spite of protests by students. Today, the John Marshall Courthouse complex is located at the site of the old school.[1]
Desegregation arrived at John Marshall in 1961 when three Black students were admitted.[8][9] Integration quickly followed, to the point where by 1968 the Black student population exceeded that of white students.[10]
As of the 2022–23 school year, John Marshall's student body is 84.3% Black, with 88.7% minority enrollment. Ninety-nine percent of students were economically disadvantaged and on the free-lunch program.[2]
As of the 2022–23 school year, 32% of John Marshall students had taken at least one AP test, and the graduation rate was 94%. Proficiency in mathematics was at 35%, while reading and science were at 76% and 40%, respectively.[2]
 | This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (August 2025) |
One will be constructed on Midlothian Turnpike and Westover Hills blvd, the first high school for South Richmond. The other will be built on the northern extremity of the city on Pine Camp Hospital property.
Thirty acres of Pine Camp land will be used for the new John Marshall High School under construction.
Willet said four names have been suggested. They are John Marshall High School, George Wythe High School, James C. Harwood High School, and John S. Mosby High School.
The board also approved the name of John Marshall High School for the building now under construction on the North Side. The one on the South Side will be named George Wythe High School.
Desegregation is scheduled for the first time at John Marshall High School, where three Negroes are enrolled.
A Negro girl who was among the first of her race to break the color barrier at John Marshall High School says the most difficult part of her day was "finding my way around."
John Marshall High School for the first time this fall enrolled more Negroes than whites. There were 785 Negroes and 712 whites there.
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