Bankhead opened in the fall of 1911. It was a Negro school named in honor of long-term school board member, L. J. Bankhead. It was located at 373 South 23rd Street (Now 3rd SE) south of the Texas and Pacific Railroad track, opposite the end of Sycamore Street.

In 1959, a site was selected for a new school. This site was on the north side of Blake Road and immediately west of the Booker T. Washington Homes. The school had 18 classrooms, a cafeteria and an office.

In September 1962, students from Bankhead and Gibbons Elementary School joined together in the opening of the new T. G. Givens Elementary School, named in honor of Professor Givens. The Bankhead building was sold and moved to 643 3rd N.E. where it presently houses the Maxey Funeral Home.