OKEECHOBEE- Yearling Middle School invites alumni, former faculty, families, and community members to celebrate five decades of educational history at a special 50th Anniversary Open House on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The campus holds a foundational place in local history as the original school dedicated to serving middle-grade students in Okeechobee. It first opened its doors in 1976 as Okeechobee Junior High School (OJHS), serving seventh- and eighth-grade students.

In the early 1990s, the school was renamed Yearling Middle School, and in the fall of 1996, it officially transitioned into a true 6–8 middle school model. Over the past 50 years, the school has evolved alongside the community, shaping generations of local students and leaders.

During the open house, guests will have the opportunity to:

Walk the Halls: Revisit familiar classrooms and see how the campus has grown over the decades.

Browse Historical Archives: Flip through a collection of past yearbooks and memorabilia spanning the school's 50-year history—from its early days as OJHS to the present.

Reconnect and Reminisce: Share favorite memories and reconnect with former classmates, teachers, and neighbors.

"For half a century, this campus has been a cornerstone for Okeechobee's youth," said Principal Kellyann Campbell, Principal of Yearling Middle School. "Whether you walked these halls as an Okeechobee Junior High student in the seventies or eighties, or attended after we became Yearling Middle School, we are thrilled to open our doors and celebrate the people and stories that built this school's legacy."

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring any personal photos or memorabilia they would like to share with fellow guests during the evening.

Event Details:

What: Yearling Middle School 50th Anniversary Celebration

When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Where: Yearling Middle School, 925 NW 23rd Lane, Okeechobee, FL 34972

Admission: Free and open to the community