Kilgore Independent School District (Kilgore ISD) is one of two public school districts serving the city of Kilgore. Headquartered in Downtown Kilgore, Texas, United States, the district encompasses most of Kilgore, extending into small portions of southern Longview, and provides its educational services to select communities within southern Gregg and northern Rusk counties, including a portion of the Lake Cherokee area.
During the 2015âÂÂ2016 academic year, the district reported a dropout rate of 3.2%.
In 2019, KilgoreàISD received a grade of âÂÂBâ under the Texas Education AgencyâÂÂs accountability rating system.
Athletically, the districtâÂÂs teams compete under the mascot name the Bulldogs.
Kilgore Independent School District traces its origins to the early educational institutions of Kilgore. The first dedicated high school building was established in 1906 and served the community until 1913, when a larger facility was constructed to meet the needs of a growing student body. Prior to the formation of the independent school district, public education in Kilgore was primarily conducted in private homes and institutions like the Alexander Institute (which later became Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas)
The discovery of oil in the East Texas Oil Field precipitated rapid district expansion. Under Superintendent W.àL.àDodsonâÂÂs leadership, Kilgore ISD established Kilgore College in the fall of 1935.
Also in 1935, the district constructed the Kilgore Colored School to serve AfricanâÂÂAmerican students. In 1956, it was renamed C.àB.àDansby School in honor of its principal, who led the school for 25 years. The institution remained segregated until desegregation in 1970; the original building was demolished in 2013, with a Texas Historical Marker preserving its legacy.
The midâÂÂ20th and earlyâÂÂ21st centuries saw continued growth in facilities. Chandler Elementary School opened in 1960 for second and third graders, Kilgore Intermediate School in 1995 for fourth and fifth grades, and â to accommodate a burgeoning student population â both Kilgore Primary and Kilgore Middle Schools commenced operations in 2013.