In 1958 E. Oren
Smith, a Columbus architect, and the Muscogee County School District planned a
new junior high. Construction began in the spring of 1959 and was completed in
November 1959. Students were pulled out of other schools to form the student
body of this new junior high.
The school was initially named Clover Hill Junior High after
the subdivision in which it was built. On January 19, 1960, the school was named
and dedicated in the honor of Robert M. Arnold, who served on the Muscogee
County School Board from 1922 to 1949 and contributed greatly to the school
system. Due to the fact that Mr. Arnold was a lawyer by profession, he was
further honored by naming the school annual the Barrister, the name of an
English lawyer. At this time the ram, a symbol of strength and leadership was
named the school mascot and the official colors were designated to be green and
white. Later in 1971, Coach Paul Peoples added the color orange to the official
colors to be used only as a highlight color.
The building
remained the same until 1964 when the annex was built. The annex (8th
grade hall) added nine new classrooms. In 1982, the annex was expanded and
remodeled to include the media center. Classrooms were carpeted and air -
conditioned largely due to the efforts of the 1981 - 1982 PTA. The PTA was
also responsible for air - conditioning, enlarging, and remodeling the kitchen,
band room and industrial shop areas. The PTA's from 1982 - 1987 worked to
further the air - conditioning project. This was completed in 1990 by the
school system.
The principals were Mr. Carl Sasser from 1958 to 1967, Mr.
Herschel Jones from 1967 to 1980, Mr. Sam Tucker from 1980 to 1984, Charlie
Roberts 1984 to 1991, Ruth Hamlin from 1991 to 1999, Jose Negron from 1999 to
2007, and Lura Reed began with the 2007 school year.
Highlights of accomplishments:
1991 became Arnold Middle School from Arnold Junior High School
1996 Georgia School of Excellence
1998 Renovations made and new wing (6th grade hall) added
2000 6th grade was added
2001 became Arnold Magnet Academy -
6th graders were first magnet group - these students are currently high school
seniors.