The Mather School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Mather School |
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| Address | |
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1 Parish Street
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| Information | |
| Type | Public school |
| Motto | First and Finest |
| Established | June 9, 1639 |
| School district | Boston Public Schools |
| Principal | Hai Son |
| Assistant Principal | Nilsa Reis |
| Faculty | 56 |
| Grades | K–5 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Number of students | 601 (2015–16) |
| Campus | Urban |
| Color(s) | Orange and Blue |
| Mascot | Mather Bee |
| Affiliation | Boston Public Schools |
The Mather School is a very special place! It's the oldest public elementary school in all of North America. Imagine, it started way back in 1639!
This historic school is located in the Dorchester area of Boston, Massachusetts. It was named after Richard Mather, a minister who moved to Boston from England in 1635.
How the School Started
The idea for the Mather School began on June 9, 1639. The people of Dorchester decided that some land called "Tomsons Iland" would help pay for a school. Each person who owned part of the island would pay a yearly amount.
This money would help pay a teacher. The teacher would teach students English, Latin, and other languages. They would also teach writing. This shows how important education was to the early settlers!
The First School Buildings
The very first Mather School building was a simple one-room schoolhouse. It was located on a street once known as "Settlers' Street." This is near where Pleasant and Cottage Streets are today.
This first building was used until 1694. Then, a new contract was made to build a bigger school. This new building was 20 feet long and 19 feet wide. It had a ground floor, a room upstairs, stairs, and a chimney. It was built with boards and shingles. This second school was likely on a hill near the meeting-house, on what is now Winter Street.
The Mather School we know today is not the original building. The building before the current one was built in 1856. It was on the same spot where a fire station is now. When the current Mather School was built in 1905, the old building was renamed the Edward Southworth School. It has since been taken down.
The Mather School Today
Today, the Mather School is located on Parish Street. This is just a short distance from where the very first school stood. It serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade in the Dorchester district.
The school's main goal is to help all students become good at reading, writing, and math. Students also take classes like music, art, physical education, science, and computer skills. They also have a library.
The Mather School offers extra help too. This includes tutoring and mentoring programs. They also teach about healthy eating. The school has students and staff from many different cultures. It has seven special classes and a great playground. The principal of the school is Hai Son.
See also
- Boston Latin School
