The first school in Washington was taught by Miss Polly Ashby, her salary being $50 for the term of three months. The first school house was a one room brick building, built in 1843 that later became part of a dwelling. In 1856 the erection of a two story school house was begun on the lot where the High School building now stands. It was not completed until 1857. It had one study room on each floor with a small recitation room adjoining. The school enrollment increased gradually until the two room building was inadequate to accommodate who attended.

In 1866 a six room building south of the square was erected at a cost of $13,500. School enrollment continued to increase till it reached 820 Two new buildings were erected, the Centennial in 1876 and the Heights in 1884. Each of these cost about $8,000.

The enrollment continued to increase and additional buildings had to be erected. In the spring of 1899 a fire destroyed the South building.

The the proposition to erect a modern high school and a grade school building in the south ward was submitted for vote and carried.

With the high schoool course strengthened to meet college eligibility requirements, a library was started for the grade schools, a physical laboratory equipped with modern apparatus, and the kindergarten made a part of the public school system better housed, better equipped with modern work than at any other period in its history. The standards of the schools ere high and instruction was thorough and efficient.

exerpts from Washington Public Schools

 

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