Olive Branch High School is a public high school in Olive Branch, Mississippi, United States, part of the Memphis metropolitan area. Olive Branch is a part of the DeSoto County School District.
History
Original Olive Branch High School
Although the town of Olive Branch was extremely small for much of the 20th century, with a population of about 400 during the 1930s, newspaper records indicate the existence of a high school in the town no later than 1936. At that time the school had approximately 120 students, implying that students from outside city limits also attended.
In the era of formalized racial segregation in Mississippi, it appears there were both black and white high schools in Olive Branch.
Integration
Today's Olive Branch High School was established in 1970 after amalgamating Olive Branch High School and East Side High School. The school's mascot — the Conquistador — was chosen because "it was neither black nor white. It was seen as a conqueror to overcome the racial segregation of the past."
The high school moved into its new and current building in 1996.
Athletics
Teams
Olive Branch's athletic teams are nicknamed the Conquistadors and the school's colors are white, gold, and blue. Olive Branch teams compete in the following sports:
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Powerlifting
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
State championships
Football
2011 Mississippi 6A State Champions
Basketball
2018 Mississippi 5A State Champions
Demographics
54% of the students at Olive Branch identify as Caucasian. 39% identify as African American, 6% as Hispanic, and 1% identify as Asian.
Notable alumni
Daren Bates, NFL linebacker for the Tennessee Titans
Shon Coleman, NFL offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns
Jalen Collins, NFL Free Agent cornerback
D. J. Jeffries, college basketball player for the Mississippi State Bulldogs
Wynton McManis, CFL linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders
Jeff Walker, NFL offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers and the New Orleans Saints K. J. Wright, NFL linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks