Cass Technical, Then & Now: Jack White & Diana Ross' Old School in Photos

I graduated from there in `978. I always thought it was like going to college. I was in the art department and enjoyed every minute of the journey..

I graduated from Cass Tech Music Dept in 1952 and will forever remember the great times with Band director Harry Begian (he founded our Marching Band with the smart new uniforms), Orchestra director Micheal Bistritsky (he was my homeroom teacher as well), Piano teacher Grace Molzoff, Department Head and Choir master Glenn Kleppinger, Music Instrument room Mr. Blood (who also recorded our concerts on his wire recorder...and many times the wires would snap and break!), I'm sorry I forgot the Harp & Vocal teacher's name (a classy lady) . Yes, I too felt like I was in a college setting, rather than a high school. THAT WAS CASS TECH!! I am indebted to all of the wonderful teachers under the administration of the principal, Mr. Stirton (who served in the military during WWII as an officer). Mr. Ray, the English teacher, opened up English to me like a giant book, and I went on to college with steady A's, thanks to him. The same applies to the biology teacher ( I forgot the tiny, tough teacher's name)... Thanks to her, I went through college with straight A's in Botany and Zoology. "Ace" Cudillo was a riot as our coach..Our football and basketball teams were GREAT! I could go on and on praising all of the teachers we had at Cass. I count my years at Cass Tech as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for being there. No amount of Detroit's troubles, and rubble of today, can diminish the memory, or stature, of those years. I hope it's not like a broken dream to wish that the city may, someday, rise from the ashes like the Phoenix. Simon Javizian

A proper picture of Cass Tech today is a flat lot. It was torn down earlier in 2012. There is a new glass and concrete building on the old athletic field. next door.

I proudly graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1962. I was in the Chemical Biological Curriculum but played in the Symphonic Band under the direction of the late great Dr. Harry Begian who later had the bands at Wayne State, then Michigan State and ended at Illinois/ The band at that time was considered the finest in the United States. The Orchestra under Michael Bistritsky was wonderful. A nationally known Harp and Vocal ensemble was also there. Modern dance. Not music and art,, the Science courses were nationally known for their excellence. Now I keep getting notices from the Alumni Association that kids need tutoring. It used to be brutal, get good grades or BYE BYE - it's back to your neighborhood high school. Do it yourself - no tutoring available. It makes me incredibly sad to see what Cass Tech has become. Half a century ago when I graduated it was great . The building was old and worn but the teachers were excellent and passionate about turning out superb scholars. Now they've got a new building but poor scholars. Can't even graduate a lot of the kids there. Really a shame. I USED to be So Proud to be a Cass Tech. Grad. Now it's where recent graduates turned out to be crooks:Christine Beatty and Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson. Where on a facebook page, the kids who recently graduated talk about "doing it" with a teacher. Cass Tech, as I knew it, is DEAD. The Glory has departed.

While the entertainers among Cass alumni have contributed much to the world, many graduates have had outstanding national careers in law, medicine, finance, manufacturing, engineering, journalism, scientific research and automobile design. It's easy for lazy writers to focus on the same big name celebrities, but a little research would reveal a great and proud tradition of talented youngsters who, now in adulthood, still stand for commitment, achievement and excellence.

To you folks who say tear Detroit down...I say "welcome to detroit, now go home". I'm also gonna get Kid Rock after you! lol We are struggling, but we will survive. That said, DPS spent millions on rebuilding the new Cass Tech, yet they struggle to graduate students. Something has to be done in Detroit , as well as many other big city school systems. Let's get them back to how they used to be..if that's even possible.

Sad, sad....

I graduated from Cass Tech. in 1977. There were 8 floors ; for gym we had to run up all
8. (I stopped at the fourth floor to catch my breath !) The school is torn down, and a new one built. Oh how I miss those days !

Why are all of these places abandoned with all the furniture and equipment inside? If they were closed, why not donate all the furniture, equipment, books, etc.?

When I was a teenager back in the 50/60's Detroit was just about always voted the country's cleanest big city. Now it is probably the trash "King".