The community objected to the negative impact this loss would have on the area, and eventually a boycott took place in spring 1969.

[4][5] A renovation budgeted at $58 million broke ground in 2011, changing the route of Orange Avenue so that it no longer divided the campus, and providing five new buildings and improved athletic facilities[6] Booker High School offers several "Academies" within the school.

The VPA program has turned out students such as Oscar-winning makeup artist Bill Corso and American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado.

[7][8][9] The goal of the Booker's JROTC is to teach its cadets to appreciate the ethical values that underlie good citizenship, to develop leadership potential, and to learn to live and work cooperatively with others.

This program is greatly influenced by the armed forces and strives to instill military conduct principles in students.