Motto

Safety, Respect, Responsibility

Colors

 Purple and Gray

Mascot

Greyhound

School Song

Albert Sidney Johnston
We will be loyal to thee for aye.
Holding high our banner, the royal purple and the gray.
Onward we are marching to win new victories for you.
Hail the school we love forever!
We pledge our hands and hearts anew.

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SCHOOL's NAMESAKE

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Johnston Middle School's namesake was Civil War General Albert Sidney Johnston, a graduate of West Point and an officer in the United States Army. Johnston served in the Mexican War of 1846, returning at the conclusion of that war to Fort McKavett on the Texas frontier where he served as paymaster. In 1860, he was stationed at an army post in San Francisco.  When the Civil War began in1861, Jefferson Davis appointed him to a generalship in the Confederate Army. Johnston was mortally wounded at the battle of Shiloh on April 6, 1862.

SCHOOL's HISTORY

The early twentieth century saw the rapid change in Houston from a sleepy antebellum town to a thriving, bustling port city. By the 1920's, Houston had become the nation's leading exporter of cotton. Along with this growth came increased population and greater demand for schools. In 1926 the first Johnston Junior High opened on a ten acre wooded block of land. Initially, 652 pupils were taught by 20 faculty members in 32 classrooms. The first principal was. Moreland, who would later become Superintendent of Schools for all of Houston. Population pressures developed. during the postwar "baby boom" led to the construction of more schools, primarily in the outlying suburbs.

A new Johnston Middle School opened on September 1959 to service the Meyerland/Westbury area of southwest Houston. "Old" Johnston became Miller Junior High and the new building took the former's name, school song, colors and mascot.

As was the case in "Old" Johnston, a reputation of winning followed the other "New" Johnston. Some of Johnston's greatest successes have been in the Fine Arts. Music has always been an integral part of the  school and can still be heard throughout the building.                     

In 1985 Johnston became a magnet school for the performing arts. Magnet courses include art, theatre arts, dance, beginning, intermediate and advanced level band, jazz band, choral music, orchestra, guitar, harp, piano, mariachi and handbells. All the groups have won city state and national honors.

In 1991 Johnston Middle School was chosen by Governor Ann Richards as a school of excellence. To qualify Johnston students had to score in the top five percent in standardized tests given to all Texas middle school students. Students continue to build upon this legacy of success.

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