Dondero High School

Overview

Opened in 1927 as Royal Oak High School, it was renamed as Dondero High School in 1957 after Clarence M. Kimball High School opened.

Due to declining enrollment, the school became a middle school at the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year. Dondero was closed following the 2005-06 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, which had declined to 650 in its final year

On October 31, 2006, the Dondero gymnasium was set on fire, causing extensive damage. Arson was suspected, and two teenage suspects were later arrested.

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.

Notable alumni

Jason Beverlin, American Major League Baseball player

William Broomfield, American politician, businessman and philanthropist

Daniel Casey, American screenwriter

Bud Chamberlain, American baseball player and realtor

Marie Donigan, member of the Michigan House of Representatives

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

Bill Muncey, hydroplane racing champion

Chris Savino, American cartoonist, animator, and writer, and creator of the animated series The Loud House.

Steve Stockman, American politician

Jack Tompkins, American baseball and ice hockey player, airline executive and Greater Detroit area civic leader

Jordan Vogt-Roberts, American film and television director

Norm Zauchin, American Major League Baseball player