History
Construction on the original school began in September 1912 and Virgil opened in 1914. The original school stood on Virgil Avenue, a few blocks from the current location, thus the name. There were originally two hundred seventy-five students and fourteen teachers the first year of the school's operation. Construction was completed in 1916. The student body and faculty had more than doubled by that point in time.
During the World War I students from this school assisted the war effort by knitting garments for soldiers and collecting cans of food to help the Red Cross.
Construction on the second and current location of this school was completed in November, 1931. It possesses an art deco style of architecture. It was at this time that the school was given the name "Virgil Junior High School". The main building had to be rebuilt and the auditorium and annex were reinforced following the earthquake of 1933.
The first principal was Jay B. Millard. He was followed by Roscoe Frasher, Roy A. Arnheim, Mary Comerford, and Paul J. Schwartz during her first 50 years.
Virgil was relieved when Liechty Middle School, at Union Ave. and Wilshire Blvd., opened in 2007 and when Central Los Angeles Area Middle School 3, by Vermont Ave. and 6th Street, opened in 2006.
Read more about this topic: Virgil Middle School
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