Education

Which Modesto City Schools elementary, high schools are the oldest and still in use?

Modesto High School in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.
Modesto High School in Modesto, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com

Modesto’s Sonoma Elementary School celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 21. But in a K-12 district with six schools more than a century old, that really makes it only middle age.

Opened in 1974, Sonoma School was founded in response to a community need for a dedicated school to serve students with orthopedic impairments and other special needs.

In Modesto City Schools, there are six schools over 100 years old, according to the McHenry Museum & Historical Society’s January newsletter.

Which Modesto schools have reached or well surpassed the century mark?

MODESTO HIGH SCHOOL - 1883

This year, Modesto High School turned 141. The current location on 18 H St. was built in 1918. It is one of the oldest high schools in California.

When it was built in the area of 12th and L streets, it was the first dedicated high school institution in Stanislaus County.

In August 1998, the oldest remaining building on Modesto High School’s campus was torn down. The building, known as the ’30s Wing, housed eight classrooms, a career center and book room. Built in 1936, the wing had extensive water damage to its foundation from underground steam tunnels.
In August 1998, the oldest remaining building on Modesto High School’s campus was torn down. The building, known as the ’30s Wing, housed eight classrooms, a career center and book room. Built in 1936, the wing had extensive water damage to its foundation from underground steam tunnels. Debbie Noda 8/10/98 Modesto Bee

FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY - 1910

This year, Fairview Elementary School turned 114. When it opened, the school had its own district before it merged with Modesto City Schools in 1948.

The current location at 1937 W. Whitmore Ave. was built in 1951, in the outskirts of west Modesto.

ROOSEVELT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL - 1919

This year, Roosevelt Junior High School turned 105. It first opened in the area of 12th and L streets and moved to its current location at College and West Orangeburg avenues in 1951.

Modesto City Schools administration building at 426 Locust St. originally was Franklin Elementary School.
Modesto City Schools administration building at 426 Locust St. originally was Franklin Elementary School. Debbie Noda The Modesto Bee

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 1923

This year, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School turned 101. After the original school closed in 1951, Franklin School moved to its current location at 120 S. Emerald Ave.

The original school’s building remains as it is used for district offices on 426 Locust St. The district office is one of the oldest buildings in Modesto.

JOHN MUIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 1923.

This year, John Muir Elementary turned 101. It is also built around the same time as Franklin Elementary School. The school also moved in 1951 to its current location at 1215 Lucern Ave. In 2007, a fire destroyed its original location at East Morris Avenue.

In this 2005 photo, student Evan Crim, 14, walks to class before the first bell on the first day of school at Roosevelt Junior High School in Modesto. The school now is 105 years old.
In this 2005 photo, student Evan Crim, 14, walks to class before the first bell on the first day of school at Roosevelt Junior High School in Modesto. The school now is 105 years old. Joan Barnett Lee Modesto Bee

This story was originally published September 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM.

Profile Image of Taylor Johnson
Taylor Johnson
The Modesto Bee
Taylor Johnson covers education and general assignment for The Modesto Bee. Originally from Las Vegas, she received her master’s in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York and got her bachelor’s degree at the University of Nevada, Reno. She also previously worked as a substitute at Clark County School District.
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