Britton History

Britton’s Origins — 1975 to Present

The 25-acre campus of Britton Middle School sits on land that was once occupied by Live Oak High School.

The high school's origins date back to 1904, when a dozen students met temporarily at the Skeel Hotel in downtown Morgan Hill before moving to a new building on Monterey Highway in 1905. The original schoolhouse was later replaced with new buildings in 1950. Those buildings stood until the campus began its next renovation in 2018.

Live Oak High School remained on the corner of Monterey and Central Avenue until its new, larger facility on Main Street was completed in 1975. At that time, the old site became Britton Middle School, named after Lewis H. Britton, a former principal of Live Oak High School and Santa Clara County Superintendent.

Campus Renovations and Key Milestones

The campus has changed significantly over the years. While some features like the swimming pools were lost, the original auditorium, a historical landmark, and the gymnasium remain as key anchors on the property.

In 2018, Morgan Hill Unified broke ground on the new Britton campus. The first phase of construction was completed in the fall of 2019, with the opening of the new two-story classroom buildings. Concurrently, construction began on the new science wing and bathrooms, which were completed in 2021.

Following that, construction began on the new Student Union, which houses a cafeteria, meeting area, and the school library. The Student Union and renovated front office opened to students and staff in June of 2024.


Honoring Our Legacy

Britton's gymnasium was dedicated and renamed Coach Jim Green's Gymnasium on June 2, 2023, in honor of his 46 years of service to the school and community. A plaque was placed in his honor to recognize his commitment to our youth and the leadership he provided to countless students. The gymnasium's renovation was completed in August of 2025.

With extraordinary appreciation and in recognition of Coach Jim Green's 46 years of service to our school community and the City of Morgan Hill, we hereby establish Coach Green's Gymnasium at Britton Middle School.  This gym will stand as a lasting reminder of Coach Green's commitment to our youth, athletics, and the leadership he brought to countless students' lives.

Morgan Hill Unified School District and Britton Middle School are proud of our longstanding relationship with the city of Morgan Hill. We are committed to our students' academic and social-emotional development and are grateful to the generations of families who have been a part of our school's rich history.