History
On July 28, 1947, the County School Trustees of Collin County, Texas passed an order grouping the Josephine ISD, Nevada School District, Lavon School District, Millwood School District, Mt. Piscah School District, and McMinn School District (Copeville School would join soon after) for the purpose of establishing and operating a rural high school. The District was named the Community Rural High School. The school opened with 235 students in 12 grades. There were nine graduates in the inaugural class of 1948:
- Billy Caldwell
- Lucille Cook Sedgwick
- Jane Davis Allen
- Aletha Ivy Hargrave
- James Lambert
- George McSpadden
- Peggy Petty Reagan
- Jeannie Smith Richie
- Carrie Juanita Renfro Bell
During the 2022-23 school year, we celebrated the 75th anniversary of CISD, and an 80th anniversary celebration is planned for the 2027-28 school year.
"Looking Back" at Integration in 1964
Nana Boyd Hill graduated from Community Rural High School in 1968. She attended the all black E. S. Doty School in McKinney until the fall of 1965 when Collin County school integrated. Read her story.
Community Rural High School District becomes Community Independent School District in 1974
A special election was held on January 26, 1974 to convert Community Rural High School District to Community Independent School District. The proposition was approved by a vote of 68 for and 4 against.
History of Community Rural High School
Written during the District's Golden Anniversary year (1997–98), this fascinating overview was submitted by Aletha Ivy Hargrave (Class of 1948), one of the nine seniors in the first graduating class of Community Rural High School. It is a first hand account of how the Seniors of '48 were given the honor of choosing the school song, mascot and colors.
Additional Histories
Mascot and Logo
The boys in the first graduating class of 1948 were charged with selecting a mascot for the new Community Rural High School. Learn more about the evolution of our mascot and logo.
Historical Pictures
