Jefferson School Stands Like a Rock on Oakwood Road
Sensing the need to add still another elementary school to meet the needs of a growing community, the Huntington School District purchased an eight acre tract of land on Oakwood Road and in 1961-62 erected what would later be named Jefferson School. As the building approaches the half century mark in a few years, it continues to house hundreds of students.
Over the years, Jefferson parents have been extremely supportive of the school and its programs and that same tradition is evident today. Jefferson is a single story structure that is set back from Oakwood Road. A long driveway leads to the building with athletic fields and a large playground visible to cars passing by.
According to a long range planning study completed by Western Suffolk BOCES last spring, Jefferson has “a total of 21 rooms greater than 550 square feet (and one under 550 SF), with 18 currently used for self-contained instruction (including the undersized room) and four provided for support programs.”
Support rooms are utilized for art, speech and remedial services and computer instruction. Smaller spaces are used for speech, remedial education, music, ESL, occupational and physical therapy, social work, psychological services, reading and math programs, according to the planning study.
When Jefferson was built, most of the nearby land was used for farming purposes. Today, many of those large areas have been set aside for land perseveration and are forever free of development, although they are no longer used for agricultural endeavors.
Jefferson, named after the third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence, opened early in the 1962-63 school year. It includes an attractive courtyard area that is used for both educational initiatives and simple enjoyment. Two large wings are connected by a shorter span. There are two playground areas and a fully functional library-media center.
The school features a large cafeteria overlooking the school entrance and a gym complete with a stage, allowing it to double as an auditorium for assembly programs and large group gatherings. There is no useable basement.
An attractive stone exterior wall on the east side of the building is a hallmark of the school’s front entrance walkway. A flagpole sits in the midst of a bus circle island. Parking lies adjacent to the bus circle and vehicle spaces line the driveway leading to the building and alongside the playing fields.
Jefferson currently houses students in kindergarten through third grades. An energetic group of teachers and related staff engage children in creative lessons and activities each day. The interior and exterior of the building are very well maintained.
During the 2006-07 school year, Jefferson operated at 93 percent of its functional capacity of 407 students. Principal Margaret H. Evers provides educational leadership and direction for students, faculty and support staff.
Nearing middle age, the school stands ready to provide the young people of the community many more decades of service.
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office