In 1875 Professor A.J. Moore of Paul Quinn College, concerned over the lack of quality education for Waco's negro population, began teaching small groups of children in his home. The first schoolhouse, a frame building relocated east of this site, had formerly served as a hospital. In 1923, the frame schoolhouse was replaced with a brick building. The school was renamed for its founder, A.J. Moore, who served as principal from 1881 to 1905. As the first school in Waco designated to educate the city's negro youth, A.J. Moore High School became an important institution in the community. Until 1952, it housed students in grades one through twelve; from 1952 to 1971 it served grades seven through twelve only. Moore High closed in 1971. During its nearly 100 years of service, more than 4,000 students graduated from A.J. Moore High School, and many made significant contributions in education, medicine, religion, law, public health, business, engineering, law enforcement, social services, theater, sports, and military service.