| Downieville School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
130 School Street , California 95936 United States | |
| Coordinates | 39°33′42″N 120°49′39″W / 39.561531°N 120.827508°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public unified school |
| Established | 1856 |
| School district | Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District |
| Principal | James Berardi |
| Grades | K–12 |
| Gender | coeducational |
| Campus type | small town |
Downieville School is a kindergarten–12th grade public school in Downieville, California, United States, in the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District. In addition to Downieville, it serves the students of Goodyears Bar, Sierra City, and the surrounding areas.[1]
History edit
The first public school building in the mining boom town of Downieville was built after $1,500 was raised from the public in 1856 by means of subscriptions and a fund-raising ball. In 1862, increased enrollment was accommodated by raising the building over a new first floor, which was used for the lower grades. That year the school district reported average attendance of 25 in the lower grades and 31 in the upper grades, which then extended to eighth grade. Enrollment rose to 190 by 1874. Because of a chronic shortage of funds, school was in session for only six to eight months each year.[2]
In 1867, after issuance of $5,000 in bonds, a new school building was constructed on high ground above the plaza, which has remained its site since.[2][3] This building had two classrooms, two smaller rooms, and a full basement accommodating a wood-burning furnace. It was replaced in the 1950s.[2][4]
In the mid-20th century, schools in nearby settlements were amalgamated with the Downieville School. Sierra City high school students, who had been served by a branch high school of that at Loyalton, attended school in Downieville starting in 1943, and after the joint unified school district was formed in 1954, the Sierra City school was closed and all students bused to Downieville;[5] a number of other local schools closed at the same time, including those in Indian Valley, Camptonville, and the Goodyears Bar school, which had belonged to the Alta School District and served a number of small settlements.[6]
The 7th–12th grade section of the school, Downieville Junior-Senior High School, was formally organized on July 1, 1980.[7] In 2018–19, its enrollment was 22.[7]
James Berardi left the position of district superintendent in June 2023 to become principal of the Downieville School.[8]
Athletics edit
A Downieville United soccer team for students of all ages has been organized. As of 2023[update], more than half the students participated.[9]
References edit
- ^ About Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District, Sierra County Office of Education, retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ a b c James J. Sinnott, History of Sierra County, Volume 1: Downieville: Gold Town on the Yuba, Volcano, California: The California Traveler, 1972, OCLC 2812065, pp. 120–23.
- ^ The students were saved from the 1937 flood by the building's being above downtown: Samuel Dickson, Tales of San Francisco, Stanford, California: Stanford University, 1957, repr. 1983, ISBN 9780804720977, p. 402.
- ^ James J. Sinnott, History of Sierra County, Volume 6: A General History of Sierra County, Fresno: Mid-Cal, 1978, OCLC 5524395, p. 92.
- ^ James J. Sinnott, History of Sierra County, Volume 2: History of Sierra City; History of Goodyears Bar, Volcano, California: The California Traveler, 1973, OCLC 8573134, pp. 107, 109.
- ^ Sinnott, Volume 2, pp. 195, 221, 223.
- ^ a b Downieville Junior-Senior High School, School profile, California School Directory, California Department of Education, retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ Sandy Sanders, "Berardi to Remain Superintendent of the SCOE - Resigns from Superintendent of SPJUSD Position and Becomes Principal-Teacher at the Downieville Schools", The Mountain Messenger, April 6, 2023.
- ^ Tom Mooers, "Downieville United Brings Soccer Back to Town", The Mountain Messenger, November 9, 2023.
Category:Schools in California Category:1850s establishments in California Category:Downieville, California