Eastlake School was erected in 1920 to accommodate students in the Eastlake area. The school had all twelve grades. The first class graduated in 1923. According to the resources the first graduating class consisted of one person. Mr. Lewis Peterson.
Before the school was finished in 1920, the student population went to either the old school located on Colorado Boulevard and 120th or went to classes in the basement of the Eastlake Bank.
At first there were only two teachers, one for the elementary students, grades one through eight, and one for the high school students, grades nine through twelve.
The school eventually expanded to four classrooms and five teachers; one primary, two junior high, one high school and one principal, who also taught.
Students That Attended School On Colorado Boulevard
In 1950, School Districts 6, 34, 20, 16, 27, 56, and 12 consolidated into District No. 12. The district included schools such as Westlake, Burkley, Hutchinson, Webster, Buchkoltzs, and Pleasant View. Westlake, in 1954, took grades six through nine; this left grades one through five to Eastlake; grades ten through twelve still went to neighboring high schools. In 1956, grades one through six went to Eastlake, it has been the same ever since.
An addition to the building was constructed in 1959. Two classrooms were added. In 1962, three more classrooms, an office, lounge, and restrooms were added.
Eastlake has never been considered as one of the bigger schools of the area, bit it has always been known as one of the best.
The Eastlake School has not turned out a great quantity but it has turned out quality. Eastlake was once well known for its great debating teams.
The real test of the adequacy of the building is whether Eastlake can accommodate a modern learning program. Eastlake, despite its age and two additions, does house the complete learning program offered to the elementary students in District No. 12. Eastlake offers the basic classes Math, English, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education, along with music, speech and special reading for the handicapped.
Sports were once a part of the Eastlake curriculum. Back in the days before high school was taken out of Eastlake, baseball, and track were popular; Basketball was played on an outdoor court as Eastlake never had a gymnasium.
The Eastlake building was also used for other things in its long lifespan. It has been used for PTA meetings,
CLASS OF 1920
City Council sessions, dances and other social events. For some years, until recently, (1972), the Eastlake School was used as a transportation depot and garage for District No. 12.
The vintage building stands in good shape today. The age of the building is not a determining factor in the educational value of the school. The adequacy is best measured by how it lends itself to changes on the inside, and keeps up with modern curriculum. Eastlake School Bus In 1920's
Eastlake School Bus In 1920's
Acknowledgments
Mr. & Mrs. Lambertson
Mr. & Mrs. Lauridson
Bertha Heid
Norman Smith
Robert Huckins
References
District No. 12 Executive Paper
Colorado Historical Society