Reverend Tade worked extensively in establishing a ministry in the Chattanooga region, being employed by the American Missionary Association and the Freedman's Aid Commission.

The Howard Tigers Basketball team has twice appeared in the Tennessee State Championship for their division, in 2007 and 2008.

This past season in 2008-09 the Howard Hustlin Tigers football team went 9-1 winning the regional championship.

On August 16, 2012, the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga was packed for the premiere of a documentary on the Howard School entitled, "Build Me a World."

Over 90% of the student body lives in poverty, and incoming freshmen typically enter with a third-grade reading level.