About O. Henry

Middle School

History
Quick Facts

Our school opened in August of 1953 as O. Henry Junior High, with seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. In the mid-70′s ninth grade moved to high school, and in 1987 O. Henry added sixth grade and became O. Henry Middle School. Lance Berkman, the current right-fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, was a member of that sixth grade class. Other notable O. Henry alumni include:

Politicians
	Lloyd Doggett, current US Representative
	Carole Strayhorn, former Austin Mayor and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Musicians
	Monte Warden, guitarist and singer/songwriter
	Ian Moore, guitarist and singer/songwriter
Football
	Johnny Treadwell, All-American offensive guard and linebacker for the University of Texas, 1960-1962
	Michael Griffin, safety for the Tennessee Titans
Baseball
	Don Baylor, 19 year Major League baseball player, 9 year Major League baseball head coach
	Lance Berkman, right fielder, St. Louis Cardinals
Golf
	Sandra Haynie, winner of 42 LPGA tournaments, including 4 major championships, LPGA Hall of Fame
	Ben Crenshaw, winner of 19 PGA tournaments, including The Masters in 1995, World Golf Hall of Fame

O. Henry has undergone two major renovations, with the most recent in 1999. Pete Price is starting his 13th year as principal. This will tie him with Rodger Wiley for years served as principal. Mr. Wiley was principal in the sixties and seventies.

Information courtesy Mr. David Freeman, 6th grade counselor at O. Henry Middle School

Read the August 25, 1953 Austin Statesman article about the opening of new schools, including O. Henry Junior High.

School Name	O. Henry Middle School
Opened	1953 as O. Henry Junior High, with 7th, 8th, and 9th grades
Colors	Red and White
Mascot	Mustangs
Motto	In Pursuit of Excellence
Mission	O. Henry’s mission is to provide students with a safe, nurturing learning environment that celebrates cultural diversity, while promoting mutual respect, life-long learning and civic responsibility.
Enrollment	1,060 students in 2010-2011
Grades	O. Henry is a 3-year school for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
Feeder Schools	O. Henry provides middle school education for students from seven "feeder" elementary schools from Central and South Austin. These AISD neighborhood elementary schools include Barton Hills Elementary, Bryker Woods Elementary, Casis Elementary, Mathews Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Pease Elementary and Zilker Elementary. Three AISD East Austin elementary schools, Allan Elementary, Allison Elementary and Govalle Elementary have a "Diversity Choice" option to attend O. Henry.
Demographics	56% Caucasian, 33% Hispanic, 9% Black, 2% Other. 33% students receive free and reduced lunch.
Hours	8:05am - 3:30pm
Schedule	Students may enter the front flagpole entrance of the building at 7:45am and go to the cafeteria (for breakfast or in bad weather) or to the library (with a library pass). Students may access the rest of the building at 8:05am when the first bell rings. All students are expected to leave campus by 3:45pm, unless they are involved in a school-sponsored activity. First period begins at 8:15am. Each class lasts 43 minutes. Students will have eight (8) classes each day and will have four (4) minutes to get from one class to another. On Wednesday, students attend their odd number classes and RODEO. On Thursday, students attend their even number classes and RODEO. RODEO is a twenty-three minute advisory period where students participate in Character Education activities, silent reading, independent study, service projects and Wellness activities.
Building	Main Wing: offices, cafeteria, gyms, library, nurse's clinic Electives Wing / Fine Arts Wing: 600 & 700 classrooms Core Academics Wing: 100, 200, 300, 400 & 500 classrooms
Enrichment Activities	Chess Club, Math Counts (Math Club), Book Club, Football, Volleyball, Girls and Boys Basketball, Girls and Boys Soccer, Girls and Boys Track, Golf, Tennis, Orchestra, Band, Jazz Band, Cheerleading, Pep Squad, Choir, Dance, Production Theater, Yearbook Staff, Newspaper Staff, National Junior Honor Society and Student Council, and Philosophy Club.
Meals	Lunch costs $2.25 and breakfast costs $1.25. Breakfast may be purchased at a per item cost. Sack lunches may be brought from home (no glass containers please). Water may be purchased from our vending machines. Money for student lunch accounts can be pre-paid at any time, in any amount (cash only). Students may apply for free or reduced cost meals.
Bus Schedule	Parents are advised to check the AISD web site for current bus schedules and routes. Additionally, parents may contact AISD Transportation at the following numbers: North Terminal = 414-6520; South Terminal = 414-8500. Buses drop off and pick up students on the east side of the O. Henry campus on Wayside Drive.
Student Drop Off / Pick Up:	Non-bus student drop off and pick up activity should occur in front of the school on Tenth Street. Please remind your student(s) to look both ways before crossing the street as there is no crosswalk on 10th Street.
Student Medical Needs:	If your student requires medication, you must bring that medicine to the nurse's clinic along with an appropriate note as to its use and distribution. Students must request a pass from their teacher before coming to the nurse's clinic. Students are not allowed to go to the nurse's clinic between classes unless it is an emergency.
Messages	Please contact the front office to leave messages for your student. Please limit messages to EMERGENCIES only. The PTA Receptionist can be reached at 414-3229.