James Madison High Celebrates Its 90th Birthday This Weekend

James Madison High Celebrates Its 90th Birthday This Weekend
James Madison High School.
James Madison High School. (Photo: lappi77 / Instagram)

James Madison High School is celebrating its 90th birthday this weekend with a series of events to showcase the talents and achievements of its students and alumni. Madison is one of Brooklyn’s oldest high schools, and has produced notable graduates like US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Senator Charles Schumer, Judge Judy, singer/songwriter Carole King, and Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, among others.

The school officially turned 90 at the start of the school year, but the festivities were put off until November and coincide with the school’s annual talent show.

Here are the events happening at Madison this weekend. Students, alumni, parents, and neighbors are invited to attend.

On Friday, November 20, and Saturday November 21, students will be performing, SING!, their annual talent show. The student-produced program will take place at 7pm each night in the Sonia Lerner Auditorium. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased here.

The show’s winners will go on to compete against students from nearby Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn’s Third Annual Inter-SING!, which will take place in March.

On Saturday, November 21, the school will host its first ever “Black and Gold” alumni/faculty basketball game. The competition will promote a student scholarship fundraiser that is being sponsored by the Athlife Foundation, one of Madison’s community partners. Former DePaul University point guard Jon Harris also will also be at the game to sink 100 free throws in order to raise $1,000 for a Madison student athlete.

Alumni who would like to play in the game should contact Murrow’s Athletic Director Bill Dumont at wdumont@schools.nyc.gov or Athletic Advisor Matt Nanes at mnanes@schools.nyc.gov.

On Sunday, November 22, Madison’s Alumni Association will host a homecoming brunch and school tour for alumni and community members. The event takes place from 11am – 3pm at James Madison High School. Tickets cost $20.

James Madison High School is located at 3787 Bedford Avenue, at the intersection with Quentin Road. For more information, please contact Larry Melamed, the school’s public relations officer, at lmelamed@schools.nyc.gov or Marty Weinstein Alpert, the alumni association’s president at martymwa@aol.com.