Princeton Township School
Township School on Witherspoon Street
Opened 1918. Renamed 1947.
In 1917, Princeton Township consolidated its many one-room schoolhouses into a single school on Witherspoon Street. This consolidation plan was not without community opposition, and the Stony Brook School even opted not to participate, continuing independently until World War II. The new consolidated school served only the Township’s white students. Black students in the Township were sent to the Witherspoon School for Colored Children, as part of a paid arrangement with Princeton Borough.
Initial faculty at the Princeton Township school included principal Miss Logan and three teachers (Miss Bazzle, Miss Howell, and Miss Clausen) who taught two grades each. Another well-remembered teacher, Miss Kyle, later joined the staff, teaching 57 students in two grades. Miss Kyle remained in the school for 34 years.
As the Township rapidly developed during the early 20th century, the new Princeton Township School was the main institution accommodating this growth. By 1928, the school was at capacity and talks about expanding the original building began. Additions included a gymnasium, cafeteria, and more classrooms to support an increasing K-8 population. When a wing off of Valley Road was added in 1948, the school was rechristened the Valley Road School.
Original facade of the Princeton Township School. PPS Archives.
Local architect Robert A. Schumann designed the original school building.
New facade of the Princeton Township School, 2008. PPS Archives. 150th Committee.
With the original facade deemed structurally unsound around 1925, a new Collegiate Gothic brick entrance was constructed over it. This addition remains to this day.
Princeton Township school band with instructor. PPS Archives. Photo by Orren Jack Turner.
The Princeton Township School became known for its many arts programs, which included band concerts and dance recitals.
Valley Road School Class of 1985. PPS Archives. Photo by Orren Jack Turner.
By the mid-1930s, Princeton Township’s female students began wearing white gowns to their eighth-grade graduation. Here, the 1985 graduating class continues the tradition.