• Woodlawn Elementary History


    Public schools were established almost immediately after the first settlers came to North Lawrence. However, funds were not available for building public buildings. Therefore, the school was held in any public place that accommodated them—churches, halls, and some residences. One of the first schools was located on the south side of Locust Street between North Third and North Fourth Streets. Another school was on the northwest corner of North Fifth and Elm Streets. 

    Before 1868, these widely scattered locations accommodated more than 250 pupils. The old Lincoln School on the northeast corner of North Seventh and Lincoln Streets was the first substantial school building to be erected as the Sixth Ward School, and shortly after that, the Old Woodlawn building was built as the Fifth Ward School on Perry Street.

    In 1923, Woodlawn School caught fire and burned down at 2:30 A.M. 

    On February 4, 1924, the committee identified the new school's location at Fifth and Elm Streets in North Lawrence. Bonds amounting to $10,000 had been issued to construct the new building, including a large auditorium (gymnasium), library, eight standard classrooms, an office, a clinic, and a large playground. 

    Lincoln and Woodlawn Schools were integrated in 1955 following the decision by the Supreme Court in the case of Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Some primary classes had rooms in the Lincoln School Building for several years; however, in 1961, all students were moved to Woodlawn after completing the new addition. Today the school has a gymnasium, a cafeteria, a kitchen, 13 standard classrooms, an office, a clinic, an outdoor learning area, an art and music room, an orchard, and a large playground after additional renovations.