A.J. Moore Academy - History

History

The school was named after Professor A.J. Moore, the first principal and first African-American principal of an all (later segregated) black school that existed in Waco in the years following the American Civil War. A.J. Moore Academy was on a campus built for the school that was known as Jefferson-Moore High School (500 North University Parks Drive, Waco, Texas 76702). The school was almost completely remodeled during the 2009-2010 school year.

In 1986, three Waco High Schools (Jefferson Moore High School, Waco High School, and Richfield High School) were consolidated. The building that housed the defunct Jefferson-Moore High School was renamed the Waco 9th Grade Center in 1988. A.J. Moore Academy was chartered in 1997 and it became the only magnet high school in the Waco Independent School District. In 1997 the school began with only a ninth grade. Each year after that, the school added the next grade level to curriculum. In 2001, A.J. Moore Academy gave diplomas to its first graduating class.

Under the leadership of Dr. Debra Bishop, the school led the district into new education ideas such as job-specific academies, a business advisory board, and extensive college preparation. In 2010, Dr. Debra Bishop retired and Mrs. Angela Reiher became principal. Mrs. Reiher continued advancing the school culture and innovations that she helped create as Director of Academies and Assistant Principal during Dr. Bishop's era.