It was intended for freed slaves and initially had 450 pupils divided into five departments: primary, intermediate, advanced, normal and industrial.
It was based upon a school for freed slaves which had been founded in 1866 and named after Samuel Williston, a Massachusetts button maker and philanthropist.
The lawsuit had been brought by Dr Hubert A. Eaton, a local civil-rights activist who repeatedly pressed for greater equality of education.
[6] Black high school students protested in Wilmington on the following day, making a march to City Hall.
The black students were moved to the previously all-white high schools of New Hanover and Hoggard, where they complained of inadequate provision.