Next year, Howard Middle School in Orlando will celebrate its 100th anniversary. As renovations progress and plans for centennial events take shape, the building serves as a reminder of its significant role in shaping the lives of generations in the city.
Historical Significance of the Building
When it opened in 1927, the Robinson Street campus originally housed the newly established Orlando High School. This development occurred during the Florida land boom, a period marked by rapid population growth and the expansion of public education. Designed by architect Howard Montalbert Reynolds, known for his contributions to several early civic buildings in Orlando, the school reflected both the community’s aspirations and the increasing demand for educational facilities.
The contract for the school was signed, and the cornerstone was laid in the fall of 1926. Construction was completed by May of the following year, culminating in a formal dedication on June 1, 1927. Classes commenced that September, and by the next June, the school graduated its largest senior class at the time, with 85 young women and 75 young men taking part in the ceremony held on the auditorium stage, which is still in use today.
According to a report in the Orlando Morning Sentinel, the new senior high school was described as “crowning the schools of not only the Orlando district, but of Florida.” The half-million-dollar campus, equivalent to more than $9 million today, was designed to function as both an academic and civic space. It featured a large auditorium and athletic fields, reflecting the community’s expectations for public education.
Legacy of Clarence Everett Howard
During the construction of the school, Clarence Everett Howard was the chairman of the Orange County School Board of Trustees. He advocated for the inclusion of subjects such as music and art, believing that education should encompass more than traditional academic topics. Howard’s vision emphasized the importance of creative and practical skills for civic and professional life.
In 1952, when Orlando High School was transformed into a junior high, the campus was renamed Howard Middle School in his honor. Over the years, the school evolved into a performing arts magnet program, allowing it to retain its educational mission while adapting to contemporary needs. Today, students engage in music, theater, dance, and visual arts, with a photography program that resonates with Howard’s legacy as a former photographer and newspaperman.
As the Howard Middle School building approaches its second century, it stands as a testament to the investment made by previous generations in public education. Nearly 100 years after its cornerstone was laid, the building continues to prepare the youth of Orlando for their futures while upholding the belief that access to education, including the arts, should remain central to civic life.
Sarah M. Boye, a graduate research assistant and teaching assistant in the history department at the University of Central Florida (UCF), highlights the ongoing importance of this landmark. The school’s history is not just about bricks and mortar; it embodies the aspirations of a community committed to the educational development of its young people.
