Enid High originated as a tent school in 1884, then progressed to a small-frame building called “Old Central.” The next phase was sharing space on the second floor of the old Opera House. The first permanent structure was a brick building on North Independence, later called Lincoln School. The present building was completed in 1912.

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THE BUILDING OF ENID HIGH SCHOOL

Records list the Enid high School graduating class of 1898, but Enid High was in existence before that time and was housed in a number of places. At first it was located in a Baptist Church across the street from the Old Central building in the 300 block on east Cherokee. Then it was moved into the Central building itself. After a time it was again moved, this time to the old opera house on East Broadway.

In 1906, a building on North Independence (later called the old Lincoln School) was completed and the high school was housed there until its present home was ready in February of 1912. The current building with three blocks of campus, large attractive auditorium, athletic field and stadium, compares favorably with the best secondary schools of the country.

More important, however, than physical facilities is the high academic quality of Enid High School. It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, the highest accrediting agency in its area. Enid High School has been a member of North Central since 1911, the second high school in Oklahoma to be so recognized. It was preceded by Central High School of Oklahoma City which was admitted to North Central in 1910.

REBUILDING

Fire nearly destroyed the high school in September of 1943. This forced students to attend classes at Longfellow or Emerson while seventh graders remained in elementary buildings during that period.

At the end of World War II reconstruction was undertaken. The restored portion was opened in March of 1948 and the gymnasium in 1950. Another addition was made in 1953, including the auditorium., cafeteria and classrooms.

Ten more classrooms were added in 1960, six in 1965, and the Margaret Buvinger Music Building was dedicated in 1991.

New windows were installed in 1984-85, updating the exterior. A bond issue in 1997 provided for the installation of air conditioning.

In 2005, a new $2.8 million, nine-classroom addition to Enid High School was completed, and students were accepted for the fall semester. The new addition includes nine classrooms and a large food court, with eight serving lines attached to the old cafeteria, which has two more serving lines.

Beginning with the 2005/2006 school year, EHS now has a closed campus. Students will not be allowed to leave the campus during the noon hour. They will be required to eat at school.

In the near future another $3 million will be invested in renovating the original three-story building.