History of Molina Junior High School in Corpus Christi, Texas explored again.

Molina Junior High School is one of the many forgotten and lesser known schools of Corpus Christi, Texas. This news article will explain and explore the history behind Molina Junior High School.

Molina Junior High School was established and constructed in the Molina Addition of Corpus Christi, Texas in 1954. This school educated students in grades 7 and 8. The community pressured West Oso Independent School District to build Molina Junior High School. Molina Junior High School would open during the 1957-1958 school year after facing much community pressure. (Ref: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, West Oso Students to Register Friday for New School Year: 16 Percent Increase Expected When Classes Begin on Sept. 6)

Bonds were used to construct a cafeteria and homemaking department at Molina Junior High School after a bond was passed in 1959. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/23980405/)

By 1971, Molina Junior High School was already facing heating problems. It was cold to the point where students were wearing their coats in classrooms. The office personnel and faculty were wearing coats also. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/20750934/)

“Some problems in space heating existed this morning at Carl Allen and Kennedy Elementary Schools and at Molina Junior High School, all in the West Oso district. Children were wearing their coats in three classrooms at Carl Allen, the principal, Horace Collins, said. One of the groups was shifted to another room, Collins said. Kindergarten pupils at Kennedy were moved to another classroom. The office personnel were wearing coats at Molina Junior High School.”

Corpus Christi Caller-Times wrote about how there were a lack of resources available at Molina Junior High School and why the State Board of Education (Texas Education Agency aka TEA) voted to give the West Oso Independent School District in Nueces County final warning of deficiencies and discontinue state accreditation on July 1, 1971. West Oso Independent School District was fixing to lose their state accreditation in September 12, 1971. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/21064187/)

“Students did not have textbooks for some classes and a number of teachers reported they had little or no teaching supplies. Facilities and buildings at Molina Junior High School were found to be in very poor condition, the report states. Rooms needed painting, numerous desks were in disrepair and there was little or no storage space available to teachers in classrooms.”

Inevitably Oso Independent School District decided to close down Molina Junior High School because of those issues. Molina Junior High School would close down in 1977 during the 1977-1978 school year. Carl Allen School and Skinner School would use the property as an auxiliary campus for a short period of time. West Oso Junior High School would relocate to this campus in 1980.

Selena Quintanilla was one of the famous alumni that attended Molina Junior High School. West Oso Independent School District though about renaming the school to “Selena Junior High School” at one point. However this did not happen. Instead the school was renamed West Oso Junior High School. Because discussion of the issue was a non-action item at the West Oso school board meeting, members did not vote on the proposal. (Ref: Corpus Christi Caller-Times, SELENA TRIBUTE DEBATED, April 11, 1995)

The school would be demolished in 2009 because of heating problems and structural issues. West Oso Junior High School had a new campus with a brand new building built elsewhere.

Molina Junior High School was located at 1115 Bloomington, Corpus Christi, Texas, US 78416.