On November 12, 1958, Versailles Township School Directors approved architectural drawings for the new junior high school and adopted its name - "Francis McClure Junior High."  It was named for Francis McClure, a soldier in the Revolutionary War and one of the first judges in Allegheny County.  The school was proposed in 1953, completed in 1959, and dedicated in 1961.

Since development in the Baker Plan was also occurring during the same time, the White Oak Planning Commission, requested that White Oak Borough and the Versailles Township School District provide additional access roads to the new school site.  Another problem facing the school board was that the large coal vein owned by the Greensburg Connellsville Coal and Coke Company ran under the middle school.  Finally after much planning and finalizing the necessary construction contracts, groundbreaking finally occurred March 21, 1959.

Mrs. James S. Smoke, Assistant Superintendent of Allegheny County School was the principal speaker.  Long time White Oak resident and 32 year secretary for the Versailles School District, Howard McClosky was chosen to lead the ground breaking ceremony.

John H. Evans, Jr., of 2615 Poinsettia Drive, was elected as the first Francis McClure principal.  The Slippery Rock graduate previously was the principal at the Lincoln and Greenwood Schools.  In April, 1959, Versailles School District began hiring new instructors.

When the school was built it was designed for enough students from "other units."  At the same time, there was talk of some type of union with McKeesport, which was interested in a joint school district, but was troubled because the state didn't supplement union school districts of the second class.

In January, 1964, Versailles Township School District studied a proposal to retain the tenth grade at Francis McClure rather than send the students to McKeesport High School.  School officials stated that Francis McClure facilities weren't being fully utilized and that the McKeesport system was overcrowded.

On February 3, 1964, at a public meeting, some 100 parents voiced their opposition to the tenth grade plan.  Parents argued that any overcrowding at McKeesport would be eliminated when Port Vue and Liberty Borough students began attending their own high school.  Parents were also concerned about advanced placement, extra-curricular programs and losing out on college scholarship opportunities.  School officials defended the plan stating that there would be extra state subsidies as well as savings in tuition to McKeesport which would allow additional labs, books, and counselors.  One county school official also pointed out that in 1966 when the White Oak area schools would probably merge with McKeesport, the tenth grade plan could possibly justify two high schools.

White Oak Councilman Joseph Janke suggested that the sixth grade be moved to Francis McClure and that a kindergarten program be started in lower schools.  In past years it was explained that kindergarten couldn't be implemented because the school district didn't have the money; yet $20,000 was considered for the tenth grade program.

On February 25, 1965, Versailles Township School Board announced that it had abandoned the tenth grade plan.  Finally, kindergarten sessions were budgeted and two sessions were scheduled for White Oak School in 1965.

In 1966 the state ordered school districts throughout the commonwealth to merge, White Oak schools, along with South Versailles, and Dravosburg were ordered to merge with McKeesport schools to form the McKeesport Area School District and thus end the Versailles Township School District.

Designed by Frank Highberger, the building had a pupil capacity of 879 and cost approximately $2,750,000.  Built high on a hill, it is an impressive sight as it overlooks White Oak Borough.  It is jokingly referred to as the "Hilton on the Hill."  

Today FRANCIS McCLURE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL houses students in grades 4, 5, and 6.  Francis McClure offers a variety of educational programs that allow students to successfully achieve the Pennsylvania State Standards.  Francis McClure Intermediate School's highest aspirations are reserved for the future of the children we serve.