Belmont Mural Shows School's Progress

DAYTON – Belmont High School has been a centerpiece of the Belmont community in East Dayton for years, and after getting a fresh start, the school has helped transform the area for the better.

Just a few years ago, Belmont High would often make the news but in ways it would not be proud of.  The school was littered with violence, low academic performance and racial tension.  At one point, only 28% of the students made it to their senior year according to researchers at John Hopkins University.

“What we’ve done over the last four years is focus on structure and order to begin with and we gradually put in the academic pieces needed” said Ken Kraemer, Belmont High Principal.

Kenneth Kraemer is the principal of the relatively brand new high school that was opened in 2011.  Kraemer was p art of the administration team that came in and made major improvements to the school. 

Since the change, the school has made huge gains by setting higher standers, improved academic performance and with the help of nearby police, violent incidents at the school dropped by nearly 80%.

“It is a very safe environment, the school has come together as a community, the students and teachers are working together for the same common goals” said Kraemer.

Those changes have had an impact on the community it serves says longtime Belmont resident, Jerry Overly, who attended Belmont High in the mid-1980s.

“Since it’s been built, I’ve talked to a lot of people and they seem to think that it’s going to bring the neighborhood back, the Belmont area back which it needs to be done” said Jerry Overly, Belmont Resident.

Students and local artist James Pate spent months to create a 24-foot long mural displayed at the school’s entryway.  It illustrates the long and storied journey Belmont has made.

“It makes you appreciate your school more, it makes you feel like Belmont is worth something” said Cedric Bush, Belmont High Senior.

“You have to put a lot of work into it, and it takes a lot of commitment and it was a way to keep your grades in line because if you didn’t keep your grades up, you could work on it [mural]” said Breauna Hayes, Belmont High Senior.

The mural will be showcased for the public to see Wednesday, March 20 at Belmont High School from 4 – 6pm.

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