Schools

In class we have been discussing the history of Sloatsburg and for my subject, I will be describing the history of Sloatsburg schools. I will tell about the Mill School, Academy Avenue School/Union Free School and the current Sloatsburg Elementary School. The Mill School In the early 1800's with the Sloatsburg Mill business booming, a traditional red brick schoolhouse was used to house the “mill” children. The school was named The Mill School. As the population of Sloatsburg grew so did the enrollment of the school. By 1870 the schools enrollment had reached 50 children and the school was too small. It was decided that a new school would be built. The Academy Avenue School /Sloatsburg Union Free School There was much discussion as to where the new school should be built and opinions differed. It was finally decided that the new school would be built on Academy Avenue. The school was built in 1880 and had one large room for older children and one small addition for younger children. Even when the building was completed, it was still too small and there were several additions built between 1880 and the turn of the century to make room for the increasing number of children. In 1901 the last of these additions was completed making the school a 10 room building. The school was renamed The Sloatsburg Union Free School. By the early 1930's there were 326 students and 11 teachers. By 1940 it was decided there would be new school districts created and Sloatsburg would need a new school. The Academy Avenue school would eventually burn down in   1943.