Desegregation of the Paris City Schools began with the sophomores, juniors and seniors in the 1963-64 academic year and was completed over the next three years for the entire district.
Black students made up about 14% of the high school student population. Desegregation required many adjustments for both races since black and white students had not only attended separate schools but also separate churches and places of entertainment. Most students did not have friends outside of their race prior to integration. The black students gave up their school colors and mascot and had to adjust to white teachers. Sports offered the best outlet for extracurricular involvement by the incoming black male students but girls had fewer options. Future Homemakers was popular as well as musical clubs, the French and Spanish Club and the Speech Club.
Integration of the remaining grades took place during the 1964-1965, 1965-1966 and 1966-1967 academic years. In the 1966-1967 academic year, tenured black teachers were offered positions on the faculty.