The roar of the Long Tall Texan echoes in my memory. Sam Houston High School. That’s where it all began. Right here on Sam Houston Drive in Arlington Texas. This impressive building is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living testament to a community’s dedication to education.
Sam Houston High School opened its doors in 1963. It became the Arlington School District’s second high school. The first graduating class proudly walked the stage in 1965. The school wasn’t always here. It originally stood on Browning Drive. In 1970 the school moved to its current location. Its original building is now Hutcheson Junior High School.
Sam Houston High School didn’t just grow it evolved. The Class of 2011 marked a significant milestone. They were the first to graduate with the International Baccalaureate diploma. Since then Sam Houston has consistently had more students participating in the IB program than any other high school in the district. The Class of 2013 boasted over twenty IB Diploma recipients a testament to the school’s commitment to academic excellence.
The school’s transformation continued. In 2015 the original Sam Houston campus was demolished. It was rebuilt as the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center in 2017. This shows the continuous evolution and expansion of the educational facilities. By 2017 Sam Houston had become the largest high school in Tarrant County. It also holds the distinction of being one of the largest predominantly Hispanic high schools in Texas. That same year Sam Houston opened a ninth-grade center accommodating the growing student population. A new cafeteria addition followed soon after.
Sam Houston High School is more than just a school. It’s a community. It’s a place where students have excelled and achieved greatness. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a leading institution Sam Houston’s story is a story of growth resilience and unwavering commitment to education. As we stand here today remember the legacy that continues to shape the lives of countless students. The legacy of Sam Houston High School.