Due to declining enrollment, the school became a middle school at the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year. Dondero was closed following the 2005-06 school year to allow for renovations, and district high school students from both Dondero and Kimball High School were consolidated.[3] At the peak of enrollment, Dondero had more than 2,000 students, which had declined to 650 in its final year
On October 31, 2006, the Dondero gymnasium was set on fire, causing extensive damage. Arson was suspected, and two teenage suspects were later arrested.[4][5][6]
On October 20, 2007, the building was officially re-dedicated as Royal Oak Middle School. The dedication ceremony took place at 4:20 PM in the restored auditorium housing three huge W.P.A. murals.[7][8]
^McDonald, Maureen; Schultz, John S. (2010). Royal Oak. Arcadia Publishing. p. 79. ISBN9780738577753. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
^About Us, Royal Oak Schools. Accessed February 4, 2024. "When a second high school was opened in 1957, Clarence M. Kimball High School, the original Royal Oak High School became George A. Dondero High School.... Now, the district consists of one high school (Royal Oak High School, located at the former Kimball High School), one middle school (Royal Oak Middle School, located at the former Dondero High School), six elementary schools, one community education center and district administration offices."
^"Royal Oak’s high school combo attracts attention around state", The Oakland Press,January 29, 2007. Accessed February 4, 2024. "The new Royal Oak High School, which merged 650 students from Dondero High School and 1,100 students from Kimball High School this year, is drawing a lot of attention from educators statewide. The new high school opened at the beginning of the school year in the former Kimball building, which now boasts a Royal Oak High School sign, as well as new Ravens sports teams."
