Trojan pride echoes through the halls of Newman Smith High School. This public school serves sections of Carrollton and Dallas. Its story is one of growth, adaptation, and a commitment to excellence.
Newman Smith High School opened its doors in 1975. The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District needed a new campus. R.L. Turner High School had become overcrowded with over 3,000 students. A site near Josey Lane and Jackson Road was chosen. The school is named after former CFBISD superintendent Newman Smith.
Initially, Newman Smith housed eighth and ninth-grade students. It expanded gradually. By its fourth year, it served students from eighth through twelfth grade. The first graduating class was in 1979. The class of 1980 had attended for five years.
The 1980s and 1990s brought rapid growth. New housing developments sprang up in the north of Carrollton. In 1981, eighth-grade classes moved to North Carrollton Junior High School. An auditorium and second cafeteria were added to Newman Smith. To ease overcrowding, boundary adjustments occurred in 1988. Approximately five hundred students south of Jackson and Keller Springs roads were moved back to R.L. Turner.
By the mid-1990s, Newman Smith High School was approaching 3,000 students. Creekview High School was built to alleviate this. It opened in 1998. Newman Smith’s southern boundary shifted back to Belt Line Road. The northern boundary became the President George Bush Turnpike. Today, Newman Smith serves students from Ted Polk Middle School. It also includes some students from DeWitt Perry and Dan F. Long Middle Schools.
Newman Smith High School also has an International Business Academy. Any student within the district can apply.
Newman Smith High School achieved significant recognition. In 1998, it was named a United States Department of Education New American High School and Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
The Trojan Band is a point of pride. They reached the 5A UIL State competition in 1982 and 2000. They also competed in the 4A UIL State competition in 2009, 2011, and 2013. The 2009 and 2011 groups were the first in school history to achieve back-to-back qualifications. In 2009, the band placed first in the 4A UIL Area B competition. At State, they made finals and placed sixth. In 2011, the band placed 14th at State. In 2013, they placed second at Area B.
Newman Smith High School switched from class 5A to 4A in 2008. This was due to a decrease in school population. In 2013, the classification system changed. Smith became class 5A again.
Several notable alumni have walked these halls. Anthony Armstrong is a former professional football wide receiver. Andrew Brown is a professional baseball outfielder. Jason Maxiell played professional basketball. Courtney Okolo is an Olympic track and field sprinter and gold medalist. Brian Watts is a professional golfer.
Newman Smith High School continues to evolve. The school’s commitment to its students remains unwavering. With a focus on academic achievement and extracurricular success, it prepares students for a bright future.