Middlesboro High School - History

History

Middlesboro High School has been educating students for over 110 years. Although the first graduating class graduated in 1894, the first formal high school opened its doors in 1896 as Middlesborough Central School and received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in January 1929. Middlesboro's first school superintendent, Dr. J.W. Bradner, was a graduate of Columbia University and a well respected educator and administrator not only in Kentucky, but around the nation as well. He held many roles in his career as superintendent, the most prestigious being selected by the Governor of Kentucky to head the Kentucky Department of Education. Under his leadership, the Middlesboro school system was considered to be the top school district in the state. With the rapid growth of the city, a separate high school was built one block west of Middlesborough Central School atop a small knoll overlooking downtown Middlesboro. In the early 1960s, the school once again moved to its current location in the western part of the city. Part of the former high school in downtown Middlesboro is still standing and serves as City Hall. The class of 1996 unveiled a framed banner marking 100 years of excellence at Middlesboro High School during the graduation ceremony, which is on permanent display in the Central Arts Building.