East High School - Orient Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

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-I 6 1-1 S History of the School Rochester was one of the first towns to develop the free high school, which type was long considered charity. The first high school was established in 1827, The old stone building was plain and nearly square, reminding one of a prison. ln 1857 the Fitzhugh Street High School was opened, to meet the demands for a larger building. Subsequently, in 1873, it became necessary to build the Rochester Free Academy. Some of the present teachers will recall it. Never- theless, within thirty years, even this large and modern, finely-equipped structure was found small and inadequate. Plans were laid for a new high school. The old Rochester Free Academy is now used for municipal offices. The new building, our East High School was completed in 1903, and the first class started in December of that year. The building was acclaimed one of the most beautiful and complete in the state. The spacious assembly hall, the large corridors, the modern gymnasium, and the fine lunch-room were the admira- tion of many visitors, and the delight of the pupils. Provision was made for IOO8 pupils. Mr. Albert H. Wilcox, a graduate of the Rochester Free Academy, was chosen principal. It is perhaps interesting to note that the Clarion is older than the school, Volume I No. I being published in the Free Academy in November 1900. The first football team marched, marched on down the fieldl' in 1896. In March 1901, the foundation was laid for the present Executive Council. All these activi- ties were automatically transferred to East High School when the pupils moved into the new building. In 1905, two years after East High School was established, West High was opened and many who were attending here were transferred to the other side of the river. Since that day, keen rivalry has existed between the schools in every kind of activity. Kodak High School and Charlotte High came under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education when these wards were incorporated into the city. Inasmuch as East High School was intended originally for only a thousand pupils, the building soon became crowded. As the city grew, the attendance increased. To meet this condition two lunch periods were established, assem- blies divided, and an afternoon session for freshman provided. Nevertheless the system was unsatisfactory. Consequently, the Board of Education leased the factory of a chicle company on North Goodman Street. This building when reflnished and beaver-boarded, was occupied by the freshman. The Class of June '25 has attended there a year. The present enrollment of Kodak High is 83, of Charlotte High 1894 of West High 1885, of East High 2784, of which 297 are at the Annex. The four junior high schools-Washington, Jefferson, Monroe and Madison-are with the proposed North High, expected to provide adequately for all future pupils. Pagrti

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