Dondero High School

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Dondero High School

Established	1927	Closed	2006
School type	Public
Affiliation	Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools
Final Principal	Bridget Schipper
Location	Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America
Enrollment	650 (in 2006)
Colors	White and Blue
Mascot	Oaks
Motto	"Enter here to learn, go forth to serve"
Student Publications	Yearbook (Oak), Newsmagazine (Acorn), and Art Magizine (Genesis)
Homepage	http://donderohighschool.freehostia.com

George A. Dondero High School (formerly Royal Oak High School) was opened in 1927 in Royal Oak, Michigan. It was named after former United States congressman and Royal Oak School Board President George A. Dondero. Royal Oak is a suburb of Detroit, located approximately 13 miles northwest of Detroit.

Due to declining enrollment, the school became a middle school at the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year. Dondero was closed following the 2005/2006 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. During the years prior to its closure, this number dropped to 650.

On October 31, 2006, the Dondero gymnasium was set on fire, causing extensive damage. Arson was suspected, and two teenage suspects were later arrested.^[1] ^[2] ^[3]

On October 20, 2007, The Building was officially re-dedicated as Royal Oak Middle School. The dedication ceremony took place at 7:30 PM in the restored auditorium housing three huge W.P.A. murals.^[4]^[5]