History of Baytown
Baytown Junior School had its beginning in 1928 with an enrollment of 175 students in
the 7th and 8th grades. In 1929, the sixth grade was added and remained in junior school
until 1941. At that time the ninth grade was added and the sixth grade was dropped back
down to the elementary school level. In 1966, the ninth grade was moved to the high
school and the sixth grade was again elevated to junior school.
On December 23, 1979, a fire that destroyed eight classrooms and damaged other school
facilities damaged Baytown Junior School.
In order to maintain the remainder of the 1979-1980 school year, it was necessary to
utilize the girl’s gymnasium and to convert the auditorium into classrooms. Also, three
portable buildings were obtained from Exxon for office space and additional classrooms
Baytown Junior was moved intact to the George H. Gentry campus for the 1980-1981
school year. Students were housed at this site until the beginning of the 1982-1983 school
term when Baytown Junior opened its new site at 7707 Bayway Drive.
Mr. O.C. Skipper had the honor of being the first principal of Baytown Junior School. He
was followed by Mr. B.F. Lackey, Mr. J.M. Stuart, Mr. M.C. Rushing, Dr. P.D Hodge,
Mr. Gilbert Lumpkin, Mr. E.C. Woods, Mr. Charles Polk, Mrs. Janie Cárdenas and Mr.
Steve Koester.