Merritt Brown Middle School opened to the public on Saturday, August 13, 1988, boasting an enrollment of just over 800 students. What once had been a sod farm turned into a construction site, and finally, a finished school. The school that day was different in some ways from the school today. The palm trees originally planted here have been replaced with trees more likely to be found naturally at our inland location. They no longer deck out the campus in orange and brown to show school spirit, but favor blue and orange.  They even traded in carpet for tile on the floors to become more allergy friendly.  Students from the school opening would easily recognize the five staff members (out of the original 72) who still work at Merritt Brown today: Carla Messer(lunchroom manager), Karen Mullins(Math Teacher), Diane Sexton(Science Teacher), Chan Spivey(P.E. Teacher), and Johnny Mae Tate(Custodian).

            Merritt Brown opened with a spacious 124 thousand square feet. There were 24 regular classrooms, an art room, 5 ESE classrooms, one music suite, one PE facility(the gym was actually completed one month after the school opened to students), 4 vocational labs, a media center, administrative and student service facilities, food service areas, and multipurpose rooms. However, because the school was new, much equipment was needed. Some was moved over from Patterson 6^th grade center, and the School Board appropriated $319,960 for library books, equipment, and start up supplies. Even with all that, the library only started with 4,000 books.

            In 1988, Bay County was saying good-bye to junior high and separate sixth grade center schools so it could say hello to middle schools like our own brand new campus. Parents and students alike were impressed with the new building that was specifically designed to embrace middle school ideas. Teachers of the same grade were put next to each other so they could collaborate on assignments. Science labs were built so students could perform experiments. A courtyard and amphitheater were also included for outdoor activities.

         As the school celebrates its 20^th Anniversary, many things are in the works. Merritt Brown wants the students and staff to learn more about the historic opening of their school. A time capsule will be unearthed, the gym will be dedicated, trees will be planted, and past staff members will be honored among other things. We may not have any palm trees left, but our spirit remains with “Bear Pride”.