In 1938, Howard County used WPA money and bus contracts to consolidate and close many one-room schoolhouses into several central schools. Most of the county saw little school construction until after World War II. The school board recommended a single central high school for all white students in the entire county. By 1949, a state bond bill seemed imminent, and plans were refined for a central high school serving the first, second and sixth county districts. A site was picked at the family farm of General Charles D. Gaither, whose grandfather, George R. Gaither, once raised cavalry for J. E. B. Stuart onsite. Bids were opened on 26 April 1951 with prices ranging from $838,000 to $683,000. Four additional rooms were ordered in 1952 for an additional $30,000 in expenses. 12 additional acres were purchased from the Gaither family for $5,000, with board member Charles E. Miller contributing $2,500 for the land and demolition of the "colored house and corn crib" on the property. Five names were considered for the school: John Eager Howard High School, Charles Carroll of Carrollton High School, General Gaither High School, Edwin Warfield High School, and Howard County High School. The school opened as "Howard County Senior High School" in 1952. In 1954, Marie T. Gaither offered 42 acres of adjoining land for $15,000 to expand the school grounds, which was declined by the school board. A highlight commencement was once attended by Supreme Court Justice, Tom C. Clark who arrived by helicopter. The population is both culturally and economically diverse with over three quarters of the graduates enrolling in post-secondary institutions. The reported demographics of the school as of the 2015-2016 academic school year:
Student population
2018
1,890
2015
1,725
2014
1,750
2010
2,023
2009
1,604
2008
1,500
2007
1,362
2006
1,332
2005
1,241
2004
1,270
2003
1,199
2002
1,174
2001
1,257
2000
1,249
1999
1,242
1998
1,142
1997
1,202
1996
1,682
1995
1,484
1994
1,335
1993
1,261
Renovation
At the opening of the 2006-2007 school year, Howard completed its renovations, which included a brand new cafeteria attached to an atrium, two new wings on opposite ends on the school, an auxiliary gym, and a new track around the football field. The renovation also provided the Art and Science Department with a new state-of-the-art darkroom and several brand new laboratories. At the end of the same school year, Howard placed a brand new copper statue of a lion overlooking the Stadium Field.
Athletics
Howard High School has won the following state championships & athletic accomplishments:
