Monroe Middle School

Monroe Middle School, or Monroe Middle, is located at 5105 Bedford Avenue in the Benson community of Omaha, Nebraska. Founded in 1926, Monroe is one of the oldest middle school buildings in Omaha, and in 1956 it became the first junior high school in the Omaha school district.

History

Early years

Monroe Elementary School was built in 1926 for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. There were originally three classrooms upstairs and one classroom downstairs. Miss Julia Newcobe was the first principal. In 1928, a second wing was added to school that included the principal's office and a teacher/nurse's room above the office. One year later seven teachers were assigned to Monroe. In 1936 a third addition to the building provided rooms for art, music, homemaking, shop, gym, library and seven classrooms. When ninth grade was added enrollment at Monroe was 682. The staff included a principal, 23 teachers and three custodians. The following year the cafeteria opened.

1950s-1970s

In 1950 school enrollment dropped to 370 students. 1955 was Monroe's last year as an elementary school, and enrollment surged back to 689 students. A new gymnasium was built in preparation for the junior high program. Other additions that year included the instrumental and vocal music areas, an auditorium and stage, a main office area and two home economics classrooms. In 1956 Monroe became Omaha's first junior high school serving grades 7 through 9. Dr. Robert Brown was the principal that year. In 1963 Jack Hallstrom becomes principal. A swimming pool was completed in 1965, along with an industrial arts area. In 1971 Dr. Robert Bathke became principal.

1980s-present

In 1980 Dr. James E. Vincent became principal, and in 1988 ninth graders were transitioned permanently out of Monroe into area high schools. Currently Monroe serves grades seven and eight only. In 1989, Monroe becomes a middle school, adopting middle school concepts, features, and philosophies. In 1996 Monroe began a major renovation, and students were relocated for a period of two years, with seventh graders attending classes at the Nebraska School for the Deaf and eighth graders attending Druid Hill at 3030 Spaulding Street. In 1998 Monroe continued renovation, focusing on creating a new building to better accommodate middle school philosophy.

Currently there are team areas with clusters of classrooms, a locker area and rest room facilities. A commons area acts as the entrance to the school, and a large multipurpose room has dining facilities and a stage. The spacious media center contains print, non-print and electronic reference materials for student research as well books and magazines for recreational reading. The building network supports four computer labs and two computers in every classroom. In 1999 the school held a formal re-dedication of the building with a renovation ceremony. In 2000 Jim Schutz became principal, and in 2004, Herman Colvin took his place. In 2006 Tackle Football was available for middle school students, Monroe was the only school that went 4-0 in the season.

See also

• List of public schools in Omaha, Nebraska

External links

• Monroe Home Page