1882
In August an election was
passed to levy taxes in support of public schools. The East
Texas University Building on Bois d’Arc and Front Street was rented as the
first public
school in Tyler. It housed all grades.
1886 Bonds were sold and the building was purchased.
1911 After a $50,000 bond issue was passed, construction began on Tyler High School.
1912
Tyler High School opens its doors. It was equipped with laboratories,
shops, an
auditorium, and a gymnasium. Tuition for students outside the district was
$3.00 per
month.
1924
A
new junior high school was built on the north side of the property. It
contained a new
gymnasium and freed up space in the basement of the high school for the
first school
cafeteria.
1926
In September, Tyler Junior College officially opened, sharing the junior
high building and
high
school campuses; TJC and Tyler High shared the library.
1930
As
a result of the East Texas Oil Boom, the enrollment increased by 30
percent. Other
junior
high schools were built to help alleviate the overcrowding.
1957
Robert E. Lee High School was built and Tyler High changed its name to John
Tyler High
School.
1965
The final class graduated from the “Old Tyler High”. In the fall, the brand
new building for
John
Tyler opens across town. Mr. D. K. Caldwell acquired the property.
1967
In January, Caldwell Preschool # 1 was opened to the public. Many children
entered the
doors
encountering their first taste of school. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell could be
seen often
in the
hallways of this model school.
1998 After a 31-year tradition in Tyler, the Caldwell Preschool closed its doors in May.
1999
The Caldwell Foundation generously gave the entire facility, including the
gymnasium,
auditorium, and athletic field to TISD. Additionally, the foundation gave
four million dollars
to
renovate the building and add classrooms for a new elementary fine arts
campus.
2001
In
August, Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy opened its doors to former Gary
Elementary students and 125 magnet students from area public and private
schools in
the
Tyler Independent School District.