80th Anniversary Celebration

In May 2006 Ferndale Elementary School celebrated the 80^th anniversary of the construction of the main school building.  A standing room only crowd of staff, students, friends and alumni filled the gym for the event that included music, lip-syncs, pictures and memories.  Many thanks to The Ferndale Enterprise for documenting the event with these pictures.

Charlie Lakin former student, teacher and superintendent shares stories of his years at Ferndale Elementary School.

Principal Paul Meyers introduces Phyllis Bugenig who was in the first class to go entirely though the new building.

Jr. High Lip Sync Performances at the Anniversary Celebration

History of the Building

History: Adapted from Where the Ferns grow Tall

In 1924, the Ferndale Elementary School main building was built at a cost of $40,000. It consisted of six classrooms and administrative offices. For a long while the Ferndale Enterprise had been chastising the board of trustees and Ferndale residents in general for allowing an “unsanitary, antiquated, and unsafe” building to operate. The new building, first occupied in December, 1924, was said to be “second to none to be found in a town of this size in California.” The community was congratulated by the Enterprise for its “progressive public spirit” in supporting the bond issue which made the new building possible.

Sometime after, the basement was converted to a play area during inclement weather. By the 1950’s a portion of the basement was converted into classrooms. In 1955, Principal Oscar A. Sequist noted that the nine classrooms were becoming too crowded for the 235 students attending. At that time there was no food prepared at the school. Heating of the building was provided by a central stream furnace will wall radiators in each classroom This system is still in use today; however, a newer diesel powered boiler now provides the heat.

 In 1960, a rapidly growing enrollment due to the consolidation of smaller outlying districts caused a shifting of seventh and eighth grade students to the classrooms in the Commercial Building at the Fairgrounds. This arrangement continued until 1966 when four modulux classrooms were added to the school campus. These classrooms were the first of many additions. In 1967, a gymnasium was built at a cost of $102,000. This gym, a modulux pilot project, is the only of its type in California. In 1968 school enrollment zoomed upward as 117 former Assumption School students enrolled. The Catholic School closed in that year.

A piece of land adjacent to the School grounds was purchased and a primary unit was constructed in 1969. It consisted of five classrooms, a play shelter, and a playground.  The highest enrollment figure for Ferndale Elementary, 543 students, occurred in 1972. Enrollment has declined annually since then, and is now leveling off. In 1985 construction was completed to bring the main building up to earthquake standards. This proved to be a valuable investment because in the 1992 earthquake the main building suffered little to no damage.In 2001, construction for the new primary building was completed.  This new building contains eight classrooms, library, computer lab, and staff lunch room.

 FES Today: The main building still has nine classrooms filled with students in grades 4-8. On the top floor are six classrooms, the school office, the principal’s office, a school counseling room, and a speech room. Downstairs in the basement are three classrooms, a small kitchen for preparing student lunches, a staff work room, a large custodial and supply room, and two dressing rooms (now used for storage). An elevator provides handicap access.

 Ferndale Elementary School continues to serve the children in the historic "Victorian Village of Ferndale” and our neighboring communities. Currently, there are 317 students in grades K-8. The staff at Ferndale Elementary School is dedicated to providing students with a safe and caring environment, a rigorous and challenging curriculum, and a positive and stimulating educational experience. We take great pride in our students and feel that their outstanding achievement and fine character is a direct reflection of the caring environment provided by our quality staff, supportive parents, and involved community.