School History

Basic Information: John J. Pershing Middle School is located in Houston's Braeswood Place neighborhood near the Texas Medical Center. The school serves approximately 1,650 students in grades 6-8 and is operated by Houston Independent School District. It offers both neighborhood and Pre-AP Gifted and Talented programs and functions as a fine arts magnet school.

Historical Overview: The school was established in 1928 as West University Place Pershing Junior High School, named after General John J. Pershing. Originally connected to West University Elementary, it moved to its own campus at 7000 Braes Boulevard in 1949 with funding from a 1944 bond and land donated by Braes Heights Realty Company. The school was initially segregated for white students but desegregated by 1970.

Growth and Capacity Issues: Pershing became extremely popular and overcrowded over the decades. By 1991, it was one of 32 HISD schools operating at full capacity with capped enrollment. The demand continued growing, with a waiting list of 1,000 students for only 120 available spots in 2002.

New Campus Construction: Due to overcrowding and the cost-effectiveness of new construction versus renovation, HISD built a new two-story, 216,000-square-foot campus on the same site. Construction began in summer 2005 with an original budget of $16.9 million, though final costs reached $31 million including equipment. The new building opened in January 2007, replacing the 1949 facility.

Notable Details: Parts of the original building's chimney remain standing due to federal protection of chimney swift birds under the Migratory Bird Act. The school has faced ongoing challenges, including budget cuts that eliminated librarian positions in 2014, reflecting broader district-wide policy disputes.