Pershing originally was connected to West University Elementary School (which was located in the city of West University Place after the city incorporated in 1938); the school moved to its own campus at 7000 Braes Boulevard in Houston in 1949.

[5] It was funded by a 1944 bond, and the Braes Heights Realty Company had donated the land.

University of Texas academics had suggested a different plan of action, but the decision to separate West University Elementary and Pershing into separate campuses was made by HISD superintendent W. E. Moreland, along with the business manager, H. L.

The school district had to adjust its plans for Pershing's campus due to the unexpected surge in enrollment.

[11] In April 2014 two librarians at the school were informed that budget cuts would eliminate their positions.

Michelle Leigh Smith of the Village News and Southwest News stated that "parents believe many of HISD Superintendent Terry Grier's policies are tearing the district apart" and that because principal Kim Heckman "is considered one of Grier's rising stars" therefore "[s]ome believe Heckman is carrying out his agenda" at Pershing.

In 2010 two parents, Adrienne Vanderbloemen and Christi Young, started a blog that supported the idea of sending one's child to Pershing Middle School.

[23] William G. Ouchi, author of Making Schools Work: A Revolutionary Plan to Get Your Children the Education They Need, wrote that this "achieves an intimate scale" for the students.

[24] As of 2010, teacher Charles Coursey requires students to do gardening before their instructional time and during afternoons.

On Saturdays the organizers sell the rest of the produce at the Rice University farmers' market.

Sports teams include football, baseball, basketball, track and field, swimming, soccer, cross country, and lacrosse for boys and volleyball, cross country, swimming, basketball, track and field, lacrosse and softball for girls.

[41] All pupils zoned to Margaret Long Wisdom may also choose to go to Lamar or Westside high schools.

[42] All students zoned to Pershing have the option to attend Pin Oak Middle School.