Orlando Junior College, a two year, independent, coeducational institution of higher learning was chartered under the Laws of Florida in the spring of 1941. Read more about the college’s history and organization.
As outlined in the Lake Highland Preparatory School History, in 1969 Orlando Junior College voted to convert the college campus into a college preparatory school and name it Lake Highland Preparatory School.
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Joseph S. Guernsey
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Orlando Junior College
Orlando Junior College
Orlando Junior College
Orlando Junior College
Orlando Junior CollegeJoseph S. Guernsey's friendship with Carl Langford started in the second grade at Marks Street School when a bully picked on him and Carl came to his rescue. Mr. Guernsey recalls that Carl Langford, who would later become Mayor Carl Langford, "was a wonderful person, a fellow with a bright mind who was a lot of fun. A fellow who was helpful to me all during my life."
Joseph S. Guernsey, who served as Board Chairman of College of Orlando, would later start Lake Highland Preparatory School at the corner of Marks St. and Highland Avenue, just a few blocks from where he attended grade school. We asked him about how Lake Highland Preparatory School began which he discusses in this audio excerpt from an oral history interview on May 21, 2012.
Mr. Guernsey presently serves on the Board of Trustees for Lake Highland Preparatory School. Regarding the school, Mr. Guernsey says, "I enjoy being there with the wonderful president we have at the school, Warren Hudson; and the wonderful faculty and staff and, of course, the students are incomparable. They're so fine and so bright, so many of them. It helps keep me reasonably young in spirit."
Joseph S. Guernsey is the grandson of Orlando's banking pioneer Joseph L. Guernsey who came here in 1886, purchased considerable property from the city centre to Colonial Drive, as well as residences on Lake Eola and Lake Ivanhoe. Joseph L. Guernsey's son, Joseph W. Guernsey, would continue in the family banking business, Guernsey & Warfield, and real estate enterprises. After serving his country as a pilot in WWII and flying as an airline pilot for Pan American, Joseph S. Guernsey returned to Orlando to enter the real estate business. He founded the Florida Mortgage Service, Orlando Federal Savings and Loan Association, served as leader of the realty firm, Guernsey, Green and Slemons, and founded Lake Highland Preparatory School in addition to serving in numerous leadership positions in church and civic life.