Modesto’s Sonoma Elementary School celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 21. But in a K-12 district with six schools more than a century old, that really makes it only middle age.
Opened in 1974, Sonoma School was founded in response to a community need for a dedicated school to serve students with orthopedic impairments and other special needs.
In Modesto City Schools, there are six schools over 100 years old , according to the McHenry Museum & Historical Society’s January newsletter.
Which Modesto schools have reached or well surpassed the century mark?
MODESTO HIGH SCHOOL – 1883
This year, Modesto High School turned 141. The current location on 18 H St. was built in 1918. It is one of the oldest high schools in California.
When it was built in the area of 12th and L streets, it was the first dedicated high school institution in Stanislaus County.
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY – 1910
This year, Fairview Elementary School turned 114. When it opened, the school had its own district before it merged with Modesto City Schools in 1948.