Washington Elementary

Washington Elementary. 1607 N. 15th Street. As Boise’s North End began to grow, the necessity for a neighborhood school became clear. In 1899, developer Walter E. Pierce donated the west half of this block for a new, four room, brick schoolhouse that faced 16th Street. In February 1900, Washington School opened its doors, charging students .25 per week for tuition. The North End grew rapidly and Washington added 4 additional rooms in 1902. By 1908, though Longfellow had opened on 9th Street, the ever-growing student population necessitated the purchase of the east half of this block for a new school building. The original school shown here, shared the site until it was destroyed by fire on June 3, 1917., The current Washington School – which faces 15th Street – was designed by drafting students at Boise High School and completed in 1912. Like Lowell School, it was built on the “unit plan” which allowed future additions to be made with ease and greater economy. Its distinctive architectural characteristics include: a low, hipped roof; wide eaves with double brackets (shown left); and a symmetrical facade with arched ornamented entrances at each end. Originally eight rooms, four more classrooms, an auditorium and stage were added to the south end in 1947, giving Washington School its present appearance., In 1905, shortly after Washington opened, the School District made several significant changes to its curriculum. One major change that was “effected with considerable difficulty” and “not without some sentiments of displeasure” from students and parents alike, was a new form of cursive penmanship. Where the old form was vertical, the new form had a medium slant. The change allowed for greater speed in writing and was more practical for graduates since the style was generally used in business. As is still the case today, in 1905, the teaching of cursive penmanship began in the 3rd grade.