Dondero High School

George A. Dondero High School (formerly Royal Oak High School) was opened in 1927 in Royal Oak, Michigan in Greater Detroit. It was named after former United States congressman and Royal Oak School Board President George A. Dondero. A part of the Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools, it was merged into the new Royal Oak High School.

Overview

Due to declining enrollment, the school became a middle school at the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year. Dondero was closed following the 2005/2006 school year to allow for renovations, and district high school students from both Dondero and Kimball High School were consolidated. At the peak of enrollment, Dondero had more than 2,000 students. During the years prior to its closure, this number dropped to 852.

On October 31, 2006, the Dondero gymnasium was set on fire, causing extensive damage. Arson was suspected, and two teenage suspects were later arrested.^{[1][2] [3]}

On October 20, 2007, the building was officially re-dedicated as Royal Oak Middle School. The dedication ceremony took place at 4:20 PM in the restored auditorium housing three huge W.P.A. murals.^[4][5]

Notable alumni

• Jason Beverlin, American Major League Baseball player
• William Broomfield, American politician, businessman and philanthropist
• Bud Chamberlain, American baseball player and realtor
• Glenn Frey, American musician and actor, a founding member of the Eagles
• Dave Gillanders - 1960 Olympic bronze medalist in swimming
• Judith Guest, American novelist and screenwriter
• Tom Hayden, American social and political activist and politician
• Maynard Morrison, football All-American
• Steve Stockman, American politician
• Jack Tompkins, American baseball and ice hockey player, airline executive and Greater Detroit area civic leader
• Norm Zauchin, American Major League Baseball player

References

External links

• Dondero High School (Archive)
• Detroit News Article about closure