Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Ealy Elementary School Exterior, 2000 |
Object Name |
Digital, Photograph |
Description |
Black and white photo of the front of Ealy Elementary School. Theres a tree and a lamp post to the right and a flagpole and a tree to the right closer to the schools opening. The Trees have no leaves. Text above reads: Ealy Elementary School |
Date |
2000 |
Year Range from |
2000 |
Year Range to |
2000 |
Subjects |
Buildings Schools |
Collection |
Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society |
Catalog Number |
2023.1.134 |
Accession number |
2023.1.134 |
Place |
Ealy Elementary School, 5475 W Maple Rd, West Bloomfield Township, MI 48322 |
Provenance |
This photo was part of the research for the "Our School History" project and used in the final plaque for Ealy Elementary School. Ealy Elementary School 1966-1983 and 1986-2013. Named in honor of Mrs. Gertrude V. Ealy, Director of Elementary Curriculum for the West Bloomfield School District, 1949-1966. Gertrude Ealy Elementary School opened in September, 1966 as a "walk-in" school, serving kindergarten through sixth grade. The 11-acre property was formerly part of the DeConick family farm. In 1983, when population growth slowed in the area, Ealy was repurposed as the Community Education Center offering preschool, Discovergarten, and after school child care. Kindergarten was reintroduced to Ealy in the fall of 1986. By 1988, Ealy enrolled students from pre-primary through fifth grade. Several building additions over the years expanded the gymnasium, kitchen, and lobby. Due to sustained declining enrollment and concerns about future capital expenditures needed to properly maintain the building, the West Bloomfield Board of Education voted to permanently close Ealy at the conclusion of the 2012-13 school year. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of its staff, Ealy was named a Michigan Blue Ribbon School, 1991. Ealy parents and the Ealy PTO supported their school with volunteerism, fundraising, classroom enrichment, and family-friendly activities. In 1998, the community worked together to complete significant improvements to the Ealy playground. Over the years, Ealy served as a home for unique early intervention and special education programs that provided educational opportunities for all learning styles, abilities, and needs. Due to sustained declining enrollment and concerns about future capital expenditures needed to properly maintain the building, the West Bloomfield Board of Education voted to permanently close Ealy at the conclusion of the 2012-13 school year. Ealy friends, families, alumni, and community members gathered for a community celebration to honor the school and its legacy. Eventually, the school was razed and the property sold for future development. |
Search Terms |
2000 Ealy Elementary School West Bloomfield |