History of McLewis High School in Orange, Texas explored.

This news article will discuss the history behind the McLewis School in Orange, Texas. McLewis School is one of the lesser known and forgotten schools of Orange, Texas.

William McFarland Lewis brought his family into Orange County in 1850 and settled in the city of Orange. He donated land to Orange Common School District (now Orange ISD) for educational purposes in 1884. McLewis High School was named in his honor. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth39146/m1/250/)

William McFarland Lewis and Joshua Cole donated even more land to Orange Common School District in 1884 and 1885. (Ref: https://www.orangeleader.com/2021/11/03/what-made-orange-great-history-of-orange-county-schools-as-recorded-in-1936/)


Here is how the campus of McLewis High School was composed:

This plant is composed of three parts, a cafetorium, an old classroom building, and an attractive new classroom building. In all the plant has 14 classrooms, four of which are not now in use. The school is in good condition, but the lighting in the older wing could be improved. Provision of an elementary library and a music room would be desirable. If more classrooms are required in the future, additional site area should be acquired. (Ref: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED037013.pdf)


McLewis High School ceased operating when McLewis School District began sending their high school students to Orange High School in 1936 during the Great Depression. Many county schools operated by Orange County began sending their high school students to Orange High School because they felt they could not give them a quality education. Students enrolled in grades 8 through 11 would no longer attend McLewish High School. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth39146/m1/180/)

McLewis High School was reorganized and restricted into an elementary school called McLewis Elementary School in 1937 during the 1937-1938 school year by Orange Common School District. McLewis Elementary School was a 1-6 school where students in grades 1 through 6 attended classes.

The McLewis School District was still sending their high school students to Orange High School during the 1952-1953 school year. The tuition fee for high school students was $2,400 annually. Orange Common School District did not pay for tuition as many people would believe. The State of Texas paid for their tuition fee. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth587741/m1/7/)

The McLewis School District had reopened McLewis High School in the year of 1958 due to an increase of student enrollment. However the school would close again around 1966. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth312901/m1/40/)

McLewis High School was located at 7112 I 10, Orange, Texas, US 77632 and 2616 TX 62, Orange, Texas, US 77632.