A Brief History of Jones High School

Believed to have been established in 1895, the school now known as Jones High School was first an old frame building on the southwest corner of Garland Avenue and Church Street. Later it was moved to the corner of Jefferson and Chatham Streets and was named Johnson Academy in Honor of Lymus Johnson, the principal.

In 1912, L.C. Jones became principal of Johnson Academy. Under his leadership, a new school was built in 1921 on the corner of Washington Street and Parramore Avenue. Because his family donate the land for the school, the school was renamed Jones High School. The students in grades six through ten were moved in. Near the latter part of Jones’ administration, the remaining grades were moved from Johnson Academy to Jones High School, and the school term was lengthened from five to nine months. By 1929, grades one through twelve in operation. In 1931, Jones High School had its first graduation of students completing the twelfth grade. At the end of this term, Mr. Jones was transferred to Oakland, Florida, and A.J. Polk was named principal. Cullen W. Banks replaced Polk in 1935.

Principals succeeding Mr. Banks were the following:
Cecil W. Boston
1954-1964
Claudius J. Manigault
1964-1968
Wilbur S. Gary
1968-1975
Henry C. Wright
1975-1981
Clara S. Walters
1981-1990
Victoria Johnson
1990-1991
Eddie Sneed
1991-1999
Andrew Jenkins
1999-2003
Lorenzo Phillips
2003- 2006
Bridget Williams
2006-Present

In 1952, Jones High School moved to its current home on Rio Grande Avenue. Today, the school is a multi-million-dollar facility with all new buildings, including a new administrative suite, a new gymnasium, a new science and technical center, a new museum and media center, and state-of-the-art classroom.

This information is provided by the Jones High School Society web site. Please stop by and visit the Jones High School Historical Museum today.

For more information visit:
Jones High School Historical Museum
801 S. Rio Grande Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32805
www.jhshistory.com

BOOSTER CLUB FACTS

We will ensure that Jones High School will continue to be recognized as one of the top high schools in the State of Florida.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Jerry Demings , Orange County Public Safety Director; first African-American Chief of Police for the City of Orlando and Sheriff of Orange County

Charlie B. Walker, former Fire Chief, City of Orlando

JHS HISTORY FACTS

Believed to have been established in 1895, the school now know as Jones High School was first an old frame building on the southwest corner of Garland Avenue and Church Street..

CONTACT

Jones High Historic Society
801 S. Rio Grande Avenue
Orlando, FL 32805
407 835 -2300

History