The school had black children from all social classes. The instruction emphasized manual trades instead of university careers, and lacked the resources held by the all-white Tuscaloosa High School. The school had a reputation for strong teachers as African-Americans at the time had few other prestigious career options. Nikole Hanna-Jones of ProPublica stated "Druid was a source of pride within the city’s black community."[2]
In 1970 the school was desegregated but only with a handful of students attending.
In 1979 it was consolidated with Tuscaloosa High School to form Central High School (Tuscaloosa, Alabama). The former school identity, including mascots and colors, was discarded.[2]