Who knew a high school could have such a rich history? Margaret Long Wisdom High School stands before you. It wasn’t always called that. For many years it was known as Robert E Lee High School. Imagine a time when its student body was predominantly white and affluent. This was the school’s early life a stark contrast to its present.
Margaret Long Wisdom High School opened in 1962. It was built to alleviate overcrowding in nearby Lamar and Bellaire High Schools. Its first principal Woodrow Watts had previously led Lamar. Immediately a rivalry was born. Lee High became Lamar’s main athletic competitor. The United Daughters of the Confederacy even donated portraits of Robert E Lee. They also gave Civil War books to the library. The school’s symbol was the Lee family coat of arms a squirrel holding a nut.
But times changed. The demographics of Margaret Long Wisdom High School shifted dramatically. By 2008 it was predominantly Hispanic. This mirrored Houston’s own immigration waves. The 1980s saw an influx of Vietnamese families. Changes in housing rules further altered the school’s community. In the 1990s students from the Gulfton area mostly Mexican and Central American immigrants became the majority. Lee became one of the largest 5A high schools in the region.
The mid-1990s were a challenging time. The school was described as one of Houston’s most feared. Juvenile crime was high in the area. English fluency was low among students. The opening of Westside High School in 2000 brought some relief. It removed many middle-class and non-Hispanic white students. Around 2000 the school dropped the “Robert E” from its name. The logo changed to a four-point star juggling ten balls symbolizing ten learning communities. This was part of a $68 million initiative to personalize education.
The school faced many difficulties. It received free tutoring for low-income students because it failed academic targets for three years. It was even labeled a “dropout factory” with a high rate of students not graduating. But there were successes. The school’s JROTC program improved dramatically. Award-winning programs in metal fabrication and woodworking were created. Its AP program saw a huge increase in the number of students taking tests. Even though test scores improved the school was deemed academically unacceptable due to a high dropout rate.
Despite challenges Margaret Long Wisdom High School persevered. The HISD board ultimately voted to change the name reflecting its diverse community. Margaret Long Wisdom a life-long Houston educator was chosen for her contributions. Her legacy is a fitting tribute to the school’s journey its transformation its enduring spirit. The school continues to serve its community. It provides a weekend lunch program for students. It embraces the diverse backgrounds of its students. Margaret Long Wisdom High School stands today a testament to resilience.