Both the street and the school are named after John Manners, Marquess of Granby and Duke of Rutland, a hero of the Seven Years' War.

It also has a newspaper entitled "The Spectator," and annually publishes a literary magazine called "The Cupola," named after the structure on the top of the school's roof.

[citation needed] The weathervane on top of the cupola was bent as a result of tropical storm Ernesto but was fixed within six months.

[citation needed] In 1996, the school system invested $21 million in a construction project in order to expand and renovate the 57-year-old building.

Several headaches later, the 20,000-square-foot (1,900 m2) expansion was complete with a comprehensive voice, video, and high-speed data network and a media resource management system for 110 classrooms and laboratories.

A Hampton Roads local, Norfolk State University graduate, member of the Spartan Legion and former captain of the Million Dollar Funk Squad his passion is for the artistic and professional development of up and coming musicians and young leaders.