Virgil Middle School

Virgil Middle School, formerly known as Virgil Junior High School, is a middle school in Los Angeles, California. This school is part of the Los Angeles Unified School District and teaches classes to students who range from grades 6 through 8. The present enrollment of Virgil is approximately 2,200 students, down from 2,800 when some of the students were transferred to nearby new schools.^[1] Jim Kodani is the current principal.

The Virgil Little Symphony Orchestra was well known for many years. It was started by Vernon Leidig, who later became a Professor of Music at California State University, Los Angeles, from 1950-1985.^[2]

Several areas, including sections of Angelino Heights, are zoned to Virgil.^[3]

Virgil feeds into Belmont High School.

Location

Virgil Middle School is located at 152 North Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, California. It was called Virgil Intermediate School before it became Virgil Junior High School. The students of this school district are predominantly of Mexican-American and hispanic origin, from 86% to as high as 91%.^[4] This section of Los Angeles is bordered to the south by Los Angeles Koreatown, to the east by the Rampart section of Los Angeles and to the north by Hollywood.

History

Construction on the original school began in September 1912 and Virgil opened in 1914.^[4] 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.

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 ^[5] and when Central Los Angeles Area Middle School 3, by Vermont Ave. and 6th Street, opened in 2006.^[6]

Notes

• The student paper of Virgil Junior High School, the Virgil Voice, was started in 1925.
• The yearbook is called the "Virgiliad."

Alumni

Many famous people have attended Virgil Middle School. Among them are:

• James C. Corman, L.A. City Councilman, U.S. Congressman^[7]
• Richard Crenna, actor^[8]
• Carole Lombard, actress^[9]
• Scott Shaw (Class of 1973), author, actor, filmmaker^[10]

References

External links

• Virgil Middle School Website
• Virgil Jr. High Alumni