Skip to main content

Cobb Middle School

Excellence - Character - Purpose

Cobb Middle School History

Banner with 'History of Cobb Middle School' in purple text on a gray background. Hashtag '#cubexcellence' in white at the bottom right.

Cobb Middle School Overview & History

Elizabeth Cobb Middle School has a rich tradition and history enjoyed by students and the community alike. Nestled in the heart of Tallahassee, our campus is located just a few blocks from downtown Tallahassee and the capital building. The school is named for Miss Elizabeth Cobb, who served Leon County Schools for many years. She began teaching in 1915 and taught both elementary and high school in Leon County. She became principal of Caroline Brevard School in 1931, and supervisor of Leon County Schools in 1935, the year she retired. Miss Elizabeth Cobb died in 1974 at the age of 96.

Elizabeth Cobb Middle School was the first Leon County public junior high/middle school. In the years of 1952-1954, the main building was constructed. Additional construction includes; the gymnasium in 1985, the media center, a classroom wing (Hillcrest Street), science labs, and the administrative wing completed in 1992.  The most recent changes include addition of the Chorus building and the new front office and Media Center renovations completed in the summer of 2014.

Cobb has achieved academic excellence for more than seventy years by adapting its educational programs and student services to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The school's leaders and faculty continuously implement various initiatives and programs to meet the multiple demands of our student enrollment. Since 2001, Cobb has been a "School of Choice" for the Applied Science and Technology Magnet Program, offering a rigorous curriculum for students interested in the sciences. In addition to our intensive academic programs and gifted curriculum, which allow for more individualized instruction, Cobb also offers high school courses in science, mathematics, and foreign languages. 

A vintage portrait of a woman with a flower in her hair.

Portrait of Elizabeth Deberry Cobb, longtime Leon County school teacher for whom Cobb school was named.

Cobb History in Pictures

Bradford-Cobb House

Bradford-Cobb House (19??)

Located at 403 North Calhoun Street, it was the home of John R. Bradford. Elizabeth Cobb bought it in 1921. Miss Cobb was a longtime school teacher in Leon County.

Learn More
Faculty at Caroline Brevard School (1928)

Faculty at Caroline Brevard School (1928)

Miss Elizabeth Cobb is pictured seated on the front row, fourth from the right.

Learn More
First class (1953) of students at Elizabeth Cobb Jr. High School, Tallahassee, FL.

Cobb Jr. High Class Portrait (1953)

Class portrait of the first class of Elizabeth Cobb Jr. High School students (before the school building was completed), 1953.

Learn More
Students sitting on the grass in front of Cobb Jr. High School in 1956.

Elizabeth Cobb Jr. High Students (1956)

Elizabeth Cobb Jr. High School students sitting on the grass in front of the school, photographed on May 9, 1956. The school name later changed to Elizabeth Cobb Middle School circa 1973.

Learn More
Speaker in front of students in Cobb library.

Cobb Students in Library (1957)

Rosamond du Jardin speaks to a group of students at Elizabeth Cobb Junior High School, November 7, 1957. Credit: Tallahassee Democrat.

Learn More
A nurse showing eye exam equipment to two school staff.

Health Nurse at Cobb (1960)

Mrs. Alice Keel, public health nurse, demonstrating eye exam equipment to Mrs. W. C. Herndon and Mrs. Harold Sanders at Cobb. March 2, 1960. Credit: Tallahassee Democrat

Learn More
Cheerleaders practicing at Cobb Middle School, 1965

Cobb Cheerleaders (1965)

HURRAH FOR COBB! Cobb cheerleaders practice on the outdoor Cobb basketball court - September 22, 1965. Credit: Tallahassee Democrat.

Learn More
Vintage house in Tallahassee, FL

Bessie Cobb House (1978)

Built for John R. Bradford. Later home of Bessie Cobb. Restored in 1979.

Learn More
Junior high school football team

Cobb Middle School football team (1964)

Group portrait of the Cobb Middle School football team in Tallahassee (September 22, 1964).

Learn More
Junior high school baseball team

Cobb Middle School baseball team (1961)

Cobb Junior High's baseball team, beaten only once this season (1961). Front row (left to right) - Charles Shanor, manager; Buddy Dekle, Bill Levins, Robbie Moore, Buzzy Harris, Tommy Herring, Paul Grant, Glen Boggs. Second row - Greg Whiteny, David Betounes, Shorty Smith, Bill Dunlap, Scott Mulcahy. Third row - Charles Fagan, Jeff Pomeroy, Keith Jowers, Andy Dull, Joe Pepper, Gary Karsner, Ed Golden and Palmer Williams." Photographed on May 12, 1961.

Learn More