School Street School, Springfield, Mass

The School Street School at the corner of School and High Streets, around 1938-1939. Image courtesy of the Springfield Preservation Trust.

722_1938-1939 spt (57 school)

The building in 2015:

722_2015
This building is among the oldest surviving school buildings in the city, but it isn’t the school that the street was named after.  Springfield’s first high school was located across the street from here, from 1828 until 1840, and over the years several more public schools would be located in this area.  The current building was built in 1892 as an elementary school, and as the two photos show its exterior has been well-preserved in the past 75 or so years.  Although it is no longer a public school, it is now used by the Youth Social Educational Training Academy, which offers preschool as well as before and after school programs for children.

15 thoughts on “School Street School, Springfield, Mass”

    • I was the the same years as you, oh wow awesome. I use to go outside almost everyday to raised the flag up on the pole and bring it down at the end of the day. Do you remember seeing that?

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  1. I went to school here K – 4th grade, 1961 – 1966, and only have fond memories of it. Every teacher I had here were tops, the best the profession could offer. Some names I remember, Mrs Darling (K), Mrs Pascarella, Miss Collins, Miss Cheatham, Mrs (Judith) Rudd – she drove a yellow Mustang, THE car back in 64-65, Mrs Roche. Not to forget Mr (Theodore) Levine the principal, Mr Pryor the music teacher, Mr White the crossing guard. I’m 64, would make the teachers conservatively in their 80’s now. Great to see the building is still in good shape and being used. If any of the teachers see this your impact on me was huge, Thank You!

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    • Hi! Did you live on State St. on the third floor? I remember a family named Pelletier and being a latchkey kid, Mrs. Pelletier would make sure I was fine. I was so fond of her and her cheese and ketchup sandwiches which today I still eat. LoL

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      • Hi Gloria! Yes, that’s me, and I do remember you too! You’re a teacher, that’s outstanding! I live in CT now, was up in Springfield recently and drove around checking the old neighborhood. Our old school building still stands in great shape but the area sure has changed. Very happy to hear that you are well and doing OK!

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  2. I, too, went to School St. in the 60’s . Ms. Rudd was my teacher and made such an impression on me being that I came from Mexico a year prior to attending this school. I was a latch key kid and lived on State St. Mrs. K was my kindergarten teacher at the time and remember her playing the piano. Ms. Rudd however, took me under her wings and showed me how a true teacher cares for her students. I now am a teacher and fondly remember my elementary years at School St. I would very much like to know how she is doing or what may become her.

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    • Mrs Rudd to me camping with her family and to the beach and I had so much fun with her…couldn’t believe my mom let me go with her but was happy she did. She was special to me.

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  3. I attended School Street School, Springfield, Mass from 1944 -1950. We planted a “Victory Garden” in the playground growing vegetables during WW II. The principal kept a rack of buggy whips on the wall of his office, for disciplining boys, but the threat of their use was enough to make their use unnecessary.
    Miss Perkins, a wonderful lady, taught first grade. We had a little grocery store at the front of the class, where we learned the practical application of arithmetic.
    I’d be happy to hear from anyone who may have shared those wonderful years with me.

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    • Hi my name is Josefina Martinez i went there around 1965 loved the school my favorite teacher was Mrs Rudd left me with many good memories she was so good to use i remember going to see peter pan live and cinderela always think of her left me with a great impresione that there are good people in the world and kindness goes a long way she loved us its been a long t ime wish i new about her. I will never forget her. And the school the other teaches were also great but my favorite was Mrs Rudd. Miss those days .

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