Indianola Junior High School
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Indianola Alternative Junior High School | |
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2007 | |
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| Location | Columbus, Ohio |
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| Coordinates | 40°0′5.86″N 83°0′15.9″W / 40.0016278°N 83.004417°WCoordinates: 40°0′5.86″N 83°0′15.9″W / 40.0016278°N 83.004417°W |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architect | Smith,Howard Dwight |
| Architectural style | No Style Listed |
| NRHP Reference # | 80003000[1] |
| Added to NRHP | June 30, 1980 |
Indianola Junior High School was the first junior high school in the United States.[2] Its school building still exists and is owned by the Columbus City Schools, though it is now occupied by Graham Expeditionary Middle School, a charter operated by the Graham Family of Schools. On June 30, 1980, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1929, the middle school opened at a different site (19th Ave). 2009 was the middle school's centennial year. Shortly thereafter, the school board closed that building for the 2010 school year and merged the school with the former Indianola Alternative School (see below).[3]
History
The Columbus Board of Education formally approved the creation of junior high schools in Columbus, Ohio on July 6, 1909, with Indianola Junior High School being the first. Its school building, located at 140 East 16th Avenue in Columbus, still stands.
Until spring of 2007 the building housed the Indianola Alternative Elementary School, which utilizes innovative and nontraditional approaches in the classroom to educate students in kindergarten through the eighth grade. The school was popular with the staff of nearby Ohio State University, who regularly enrolled their children in its progressive program. Educational programs at Indianola were conducted in consultation with education professors and students at Ohio State University.
Largely because of increasing enrollment demands, in 2007 Indianola students moved to the old Everett Jr. High, which had been occupied by the Arts Impact Middle School. The Indianola building was left vacant. In 2009 the school moved to the former Crestview Middle School in Clintonville, which was renovated in preparation for Indianola Alternative to move there. The move to this much larger building allowed Indianola Alternative to significantly increase its enrollment and become a K-8.
References
- ↑ Staff (2008-04-15). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ Ohio History Central
- ↑ Board votes to close 9 city schools
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