Dexter Middle School was founded in 2002 under principal Eddie Jones. Jones opened the new school year welcoming
an estimated 520 students, grades five through eight, from Chimney Rock, Macon Hall, Riverdale, and Mt. Pisgah. Dexter
Middle School was yet another effort by the Shelby County System to alleviate the population booms in the
unincorporated Cordova area.
The land, which surrounds Dexter Middle and Dexter Elementary Schools, is rich in local history. It is an area that was
owned by small farmers, both white and African Americans, who kept their land pure and agriculturally productive until the
encroaching population of Memphis became too much to hold off. The Bridgewater House, today a local Bed and
Breakfast, was once an African American schoolhouse for first through the eighth grade.
Dexter Middle has benefited from the leadership of three principals. The founding principal, Mr. Eddie Jones, came in with
both vision and enthusiasm. In 2004, Dr. Reo Pruiett stepped in as principal of Dexter Middle School. She has been with
Shelby County Schools for 22 years. Dexter Middle School’s current principal, Dr. Phyllis Jones was selected as the
principal of Dexter Middle School in July 2005.
an estimated 520 students, grades five through eight, from Chimney Rock, Macon Hall, Riverdale, and Mt. Pisgah. Dexter
Middle School was yet another effort by the Shelby County System to alleviate the population booms in the
unincorporated Cordova area.
The land, which surrounds Dexter Middle and Dexter Elementary Schools, is rich in local history. It is an area that was
owned by small farmers, both white and African Americans, who kept their land pure and agriculturally productive until the
encroaching population of Memphis became too much to hold off. The Bridgewater House, today a local Bed and
Breakfast, was once an African American schoolhouse for first through the eighth grade.
Dexter Middle has benefited from the leadership of three principals. The founding principal, Mr. Eddie Jones, came in with
both vision and enthusiasm. In 2004, Dr. Reo Pruiett stepped in as principal of Dexter Middle School. She has been with
Shelby County Schools for 22 years. Dexter Middle School’s current principal, Dr. Phyllis Jones was selected as the
principal of Dexter Middle School in July 2005.