San Francisco public grammar schools facts for kids
Imagine San Francisco way back in 1879! At that time, the city had 15 special schools called grammar schools. These schools were for students who had finished their basic primary education.
Some of these schools were just for girls, like Denman, Rincon, and Broadway. Others were only for boys, such as Lincoln, Washington, and Union. There were also nine schools where both boys and girls learned together. These included Spring Valley, Hayes Valley, and Mission schools. One school, Potrero, even taught both younger and older students. Kids usually went to grammar school for seven or eight years.
Some of these old schools are still around today! For example, James Denman Middle School and Lowell High School (which used to be Union Grammar School) are still educating students. Spring Valley Science Elementary School is another one. Sadly, Washington Grammar School was likely destroyed in a fire in 1930.
Later, in 1913, three more grammar schools opened: Crocker, Hamilton, and Horace Mann. These were the very last grammar schools built in San Francisco. After that, students of this age started going to new types of schools. Junior high schools began in 1922, and middle schools opened in 1978.
Contents
What Was a Grammar School?
Grammar schools were a big step up from primary schools. They taught more advanced subjects. Students learned things like reading, writing, math, and history. These schools helped prepare students for high school or for jobs.
Awards for Top Students
Some of these grammar schools liked to celebrate their best students. Schools like Denman, Lincoln, and Broadway gave out special medals to their top graduates. Boys also had a chance to win the Bridge Medal. This award was created by a man named Samuel J. Bridge.
Schools for All Students
In 1885, a court made an important decision. It said that Chinese students must be educated. Because of this, the Chinese Elementary School was created. This school was made so that Chinese students, like a girl named Mamie Tape, could get an education.
School Facts and Figures
Building a school back then was a big project! In 1870, a typical grammar school building for 1,000 students cost about $30,000 to build. That was a lot of money back then!
By 1875, there were 6,055 students in San Francisco's grammar schools. They were taught by 129 teachers. Most of these teachers, 102 of them, were women.
Did you know that the first female principal of a San Francisco grammar school was Kate Kennedy? She was appointed in 1856, which was a very important step for women in education.
