Long before North Irving expanded or south Irving developed its own identity, there was simply Irving High School. Established in 1909, this flagship campus is the historical bedrock of the Irving Independent School District. The school moved to its current location on O'Connor Road in 1953, right as the city began to transform from a quiet rural town into a major suburban engine.
Represented by the fierce Black and Gold and the mighty Tigers, Irving High is steeped in decades of tradition. Today, it serves a diverse and energetic student body of over 2,800 students, bridging the city's rich history with modern, forward-thinking academic programs.
Technical Edge: Aviation and Motor Sports
While the school honors its deep roots, the curriculum inside is built for the future. Irving High is widely known for its hands-on career tracks, particularly its standout Aviation Science and Automotive Technology programs.
Instead of sitting at traditional desks all day, students step into fully equipped mechanics bays and simulation labs. The school partners with major local transport and aviation hubs, giving teenagers the chance to work directly on real engines, learn flight theory, and earn industry certifications before they even cross the graduation stage.
Gridiron History: The Historic 2004 Run
When it comes to high school football, Irving High has spent over a century competing in some of the toughest districts in the Lone Star State. While the program has produced legendary individual athletes, the deepest playoff run in modern Tiger history came during the unforgettable 2004 season.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Dean Norsworthy, the 2004 Tigers put together a historic campaign that united the entire city. They fought their way deep into the postseason, executing a dramatic playoff stretch that culminated in a trip to the UIL Class 5A Division II State Quarterfinals (the final eight teams in Texas).
That gritty 2004 squad set the modern benchmark for Tiger football, establishing a school record for the deepest postseason run the program had ever seen on the 5A gridiron.
A Powerhouse Roster of Notable Alumni
Because Irving High has been around for over a century, its halls have been walked by an incredibly diverse group of people who went on to achieve global fame in music, sports, film, and literature.
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Trevor Story: Long before he was a Major League Baseball All-Star shortstop for the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox, Story was a dual-sport phenom for the Tigers. He played quarterback for the football team and dominated the diamond with a fastball that clocked 96 mph.
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Liz Rose: A Grammy Award-winning songwriter who is perhaps best known for her early, pivotal collaborations with Taylor Swift. Rose co-wrote massive hits like White Horse, You Belong with Me, and All Too Well, earning her a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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Frank Beard: The legendary, ironically named drummer for the iconic Texas rock band ZZ Top. As the running joke goes among rock fans, Frank Beard is the only member of ZZ Top who doesn't have a massive beard.
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David Lowery: A highly acclaimed filmmaker and director who has made waves in Hollywood with movies like A Ghost Story, The Green Knight, and Disney's Pete's Dragon.
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Jim Beaver: A beloved veteran character actor instantly recognizable for his iconic roles in hit television series like Supernatural (as Bobby Singer), Deadwood, and Justified.
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John Moore: A legendary, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist who has traveled the world capturing some of the most impactful news images of the 21st century.
Irving High School Fast Facts
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Location: 949 O'Connor Rd, Irving, TX 75061
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School Colors: Black and Gold
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Mascot: The Tigers
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Established: 1909
As the original anchor of the city's education system, Irving High School still carries a unique weight. It stands as a living testament to where Irving has been—and through its high-tech classrooms and deeply loyal alumni network, it continues to shape where the community is going.
