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School History

Daniel Ortiz, Jr. was a native Houstonian, born and raised in Magnolia, a neighborhood in Houston’s East End. He was a devoted family man, loyal friend, and dedicated educator whose community involvement, and peer recognition provided him with a deep understanding of his responsibility to give back to his city and community.

Daniel Ortiz, Jr. graduated as a product of the HISD school system with the Charles Milby Sr. High School class of 1955.

He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in History Education and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He began his professional career in HISD as a history teacher and English teacher. He then continued to serve throughout his career as an assistant principal at George Washington and McReynolds Jr. High Schools, principal of Marshall Jr. High School, Assistant Superintendent of HISD Area V, and lastly, Associate Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of HISD School Administrators.

Mr. Daniel Ortiz, Jr. became one of the District’s highest-ranking administrators at a time when few Hispanics served in leadership roles. On August 31, 1992, Mr. Ortiz retired as HISD's Superintendent of School Operations. Daniel Ortiz, Jr. Middle School was named in his honor in October 2002.

Daniel Ortiz, Jr. Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 900 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. There are three academic wings, one per grade level, as well

as a wing dedicated to our performing and visual arts program.

With our designation as an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we offer students learning experiences with a global perspective, instilling in our students the desire to develop international-mindedness as guardians of the planet, and to become lifelong learners. As an IB campus, all of our students take Design (provided through our technology classes), a performing and/or visual arts class, and a language acquisition course (Spanish) every year of the program

Community service is a large part of the IB school culture. Our students participate in schoolwide community service projects so that they are prepared for the development and completion of their own community service project in 8th grade.

We are collaborating with other neighborhood schools to provide an IB continuum so that our students can experience the IB programs from elementary through high school.