History
A regular school district was organized in 1857, with one teacher and a class of 29 students. In 1859 a new school, Central School, later Lowell School, was built at Lake and Forest. In 1879 the Ridgeland School, later William Beye School, was built to serve what is now east Oak Park. Additional schools were constructed as the population rapidly increased. Until 1873, public education was only offered to eighth grade.
More Historical Resources
Central School, 1900
School Facts
Brooks Middle School
Named for Gwendolyn Brooks, poet
Originally built in 1893 as South or Washington Blvd School and later known as Emerson Junior High School; new building opened in 2002.
Julian Middle School
Named for Dr. Percy Julian, scientist
Originally built in 1901 as 64th Street School and later known as Hawthorne School, it was named for Julian in the 1980s; new structure opened in September 2002
Beye Elementary
Named for William Beye, District 97 school board finance chairman in the late 1800s
Originally built as Ridgeland School and later known as Ontario School, the first building opened in 1879
Hatch Elementary
Named for William H. Hatch, District 97 superintendent from 1882-1917
Originally built in 1922
Holmes Elementary
Named for Oliver Wendell Holmes, Harvard professor, physician, poet and author
Originally known as North or Chicago Ave. School, and opened in 1889; new structure was built in the late 1950s
The original Holmes School
Longfellow Elementary
Named for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, poet, educator and linguist
Opened in 1894
Whittier Elementary
Named for: John Greenleaf Whittier
Originally opened in 1901 as Augusta Street School