Before the integration of public schools in Arkansas, Texarkana had several black learning institutions.
Orr School was funded by donations from a prominent Texarkana family to help Black Children learn reading, writing and arithmetic.
In 1908 this school moved from College Hill to Draughn Avenue where a frame building was erected for grades 1-4.
[citation needed] After the fire, classes were held in the basement of St. James Baptist Church, which had dirt floors.
[citation needed] In 1930, the school added the sports of football and basketball, using Lions as the team nickname.