Thurston High School

Information to come

Marshall Middle School

The History of George C. Marshall Junior High

George Catlett Marshall: A Legacy of Service

George Catlett Marshall (December 31, 1880 – October 16, 1959) was a pivotal figure in American history, widely regarded as America’s foremost soldier during World War II. His distinguished career included:

Chief of Staff (1939-1945): He built and directed the largest army in history, earning praise from Winston Churchill as “the organizer for victory” in World War II.
Secretary of State (1947-1949): As a diplomat, he formulated the Marshall Plan, an unprecedented program of economic and military aid to foreign nations.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (1953): Marshall was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to peace.

Building a School: Marshall Junior High’s Origins in Redford Township

The idea for a second junior high in South Redford Township gained traction in March 1957 when the Citizens’ Advisory Committee recommended investigating land on Breakfast Drive.

Land Acquisition: After initial postponements, the South Redford School Board authorized the purchase of six 60-foot lots on Breakfast Drive for $14,600 in September 1957.
Bond Approval: In October 1957, voters overwhelmingly supported a bond issue to build the first junior high (Pierce) and acquire two additional school sites, one for a future second junior high.
Architect Selection: In October 1958, Bennett and Straith was chosen as the architect for the new junior high. Preliminary plans were drawn to accommodate approximately 900 students.
Funding Secured: A second bond proposal in November 1958, seeking $3,250,000 for the land and construction of the new junior high and elementary classrooms, was approved by South Redford residents.

Construction and Opening

Construction on the new junior high progressed through various stages:

Property Acquisition Continues: By June 1959, most necessary homes on Breakfast Drive were purchased, with the district opting to buy only the back portion of one remaining property due to excessive owner demands.
Bids and Materials: Revised bids for architectural, mechanical, and electrical work were accepted in September 1959. The Board approved the use of Bermuda blend Metropolitan brick for the building.
Delayed but Determined: Construction faced delays due to poor weather and road conditions in early 1960, but efforts were made to make up for lost time, including using a double force of bricklayers.
Naming the School: In January 1960, a student essay contest was announced to determine the name of the new junior high. On September 28, 1960, the winning essay officially named the school George C. Marshall Junior High.
Official Completion and Dedication: While unfinished, Marshall Junior High opened for enrollment in Fall 1960. Work was finally completed by April 1961, with the formal dedication ceremony held on Sunday, October 15, 1961. The ceremony notably included speeches from students, highlighting their gratitude for the new educational opportunities.

Growth, Challenges, and Transformation

Marshall Junior High adapted to changing demographics and educational needs:

Addressing Overcrowding: By November 1961, both Marshall and Pierce Junior Highs were overcrowded, prompting discussions about additions and adjusted attendance boundaries. In May 1962, boundaries were altered to equalize student numbers, adding part of the Jefferson area to Marshall’s attendance zone.
Curriculum Expansion (1969): Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Marshall Junior High expanded its curriculum to include vocational academics (home economics, industrial arts), modern languages (German, French, Spanish, Russian, Latin, Chinese), and advanced math and science programs. The school utilized a “semimodular system” to accommodate increased course offerings.
Declining Enrollment and Lease to Catholic Central: By the late 1970s, declining student enrollment led to significant financial challenges for the South Redford School District.

In November 1977, the Board voted to consolidate Marshall and Pierce Junior Highs.
On August 1, 1978, Marshall Junior High was leased to Catholic Central High School of Detroit for a five-year period, with an option for renewal.

Sale of the Building: In 1981, Catholic Central was offered the option to purchase the former Marshall Junior High. The sale was accepted by the South Redford School Board on September 25, 1981, for $1,300,000, with the lease continuing until August 1, 1983.

Shamrock Village: A New Chapter

The former Marshall Junior High site eventually transitioned into a residential development:

Catholic Central Relocates: Catholic Central High School moved to Novi, Michigan, in 2005, after 28 years at the Redford location.
Redevelopment Plans: Plans for “Shamrock Village,” a residential community, began in 2002. The demolition of the former school building was planned for August 2005.
Construction and Completion: After various delays due to economic conditions, the Shamrock Village development was officially completed by Triangle Development in 2019, featuring 253 single-family homes.

Pierce Middle School

The History of John D. Pierce Middle School

John D. Pierce: Pioneer of Michigan Education

Reverend John D. Pierce, born in New Hampshire, was a self-taught individual who overcame early family struggles. A graduate of Brown University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Pierce moved to Marshall, Michigan, in 1831 as a missionary. His profound impact on Michigan’s educational system includes:

Co-designing the School System: In 1834, he and Isaac Crary designed Michigan’s school system.
First Superintendent of Public Instruction: From 1836 to 1841, he served as the state’s first superintendent of public instruction, a pioneering position in the United States.
Key Educational Reforms: Pierce is credited with coordinating elementary schools, creating school districts with individual libraries, and establishing teacher qualifications.
Diverse Contributions: He also served as a preacher, state legislator, Washtenaw County superintendent of schools, and founded The Journal of Education, the first professional education journal in the Great Lakes region.
“Founder of the Michigan School System”: For his extensive efforts, Pierce is widely recognized as the founder of the Michigan School System. He died in April 1882 at the age of 85 and is buried in Marshall, Michigan.

Establishing Pierce Junior High in Redford Township

The need for increased classroom space in higher grade levels prompted the South Redford School Board to form a Citizens’ Advisory Committee in summer 1956 to explore establishing a junior high.

Bond Issue and Land Acquisition: A bond issue for the new junior high’s site and building was recommended. After postponing a June 1957 vote, it was decided to hold the election in the fall. In July 1957, the South Redford School Board passed a condemnation resolution for 12 acres of individually owned lots near Fisher School by Orangelawn for the junior high site, which involved no houses.
Voter Approval: In October 1957, South Redford voters overwhelmingly approved the bond issue to build a junior high and acquire two school sites (one for a second junior high). The vote was 2,327 in favor and 336 opposed.
Architectural Plans and Bids: Architectural plans were reviewed in December 1957. Bids for the new two-story building, designed to save money and require less land, went out in March 1958. The building would include 20 classrooms, labs, music rooms, a homemaking room, cafeteria, gym, arts and crafts room, library, and general shop. Alfred A. Smith Company was awarded the low bid.

Naming and Opening the School

A competition to name the new junior high was held in March and April 1958, inviting 7th-grade students to submit essays suggesting a name of a deceased Michigan resident outstanding in education, arts, or sciences.

Eleanor Papp’s Winning Entry: In May 1958, 7th-grade student Eleanor Papp’s suggestion to name the school after John D. Pierce, Michigan’s first Superintendent of Schools, was chosen. She was honored twice, including at the formal dedication ceremony.
Construction Begins: Construction on John D. Pierce Junior High began in June 1958.
Ready for Students: By July 1959, furniture had been delivered, and the school was ready to open in September.
Grand Opening and Dedication:

The first public open house was held in September 1959, attracting an estimated 2,500 people.
The formal dedication ceremony was held on November 15, 1959, marking the first junior high in the South Redford School District’s history.
Dignitaries included President Eisenhower (via wired statement), Governor G. Mennen Williams, and various university presidents.
John D. Pierce Junior High School officially opened its doors to students on September 10, 1959, located at 25605 Orangelawn. It initially served all 7th and 8th-grade students, providing full-day classes, a change from the previous half-day sessions at Lee M. Thurston High School.

Initial Details: The building cost $1,350,000, spanned 85,420 square feet, and had an initial enrollment of 999 students with 44 teaching staff. Rene Rodolosi was appointed Assistant Principal in November 1959.

Growth, Accreditation, and Mascot Changes

Pierce Junior High continued to evolve and achieve recognition:

North Central Association Accreditation: In March 1969, Pierce and Marshall Junior Highs became the third and fourth schools in Michigan to be accepted for membership by the North Central Association, an honor signifying superior curriculum, competent teaching staff, and excellent physical facilities.
Mascot History: Pierce Junior High’s mascot, the Penguin, was chosen by students while they were attending classes at Thurston before the new building opened. The journalism classes at Pierce even published a monthly newspaper called “The Penguin Post”.
Merger with Marshall Junior High: Due to declining enrollment, Marshall Junior High students began attending Pierce in Fall 1978, significantly increasing Pierce’s student population. Rene Rodolosi, Marshall’s principal, became the head principal for Pierce.
New Mascot, “Patriots”: In May 1978, a mascot-choosing contest was held between Marshall and Pierce students, with Patriots winning by an overwhelming majority. Marshall’s previous mascot was the Mustang.
District-wide Mascot Change: In 2014, all schools within the South Redford School District adopted the Eagle as their school mascot.

Website: Pierce Middle School

Fisher Elementary School

Location: 10000 Crossley
Original School: Fisher is the original school in South Redford.
Dedication: Dedicated on October 9, 1928, on land donated by prominent landowner George Fisher.
Growth: Additions were made in 1944, 1949, 1955, and 1958 due to community growth. Before Thurston High School was built, 9th graders might continue to Redford Union High School, whose first graduating Class was in 1925, Cooley High School in Detroit, Bentley High School in Livonia, or perhaps a parochial high school.
Early Education: In its early years, students attended Fisher through eighth grade.
50th Anniversary: Celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 1978-1979 school year, with a reunion open house in May 1979 that invited over 2,700 people. The principal arranged for the University of Michigan band to perform for students.
Centennial: Fisher continues to operate as an elementary school and anticipates a centennial celebration in 2028.

Website: Fisher Elementary

Addams Elementary School

Location: 14025 Berwyn
Construction: Built in 1963.
Namesake: Named after Jane Addams, an American activist, reformer, social worker, and sociologist. She was the co-founder of the ACLU and the first American woman to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
Current Status: Addams continues to operate as an elementary school.
Website: Addams Elementary

Jefferson Elementary School

Location: 26555 Westfield
Construction: Built in 1958.
Namesake: Named after Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd President of the United States. He was the author and signer of the Declaration of Independence, a diplomat, political thinker, musician, and architect. As President, he purchased the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the U.S..
Current Status: Jefferson continues to operate as an elementary school.

Website: Jefferson Elementary

Vandenberg Elementary School

Location: 24901 Cathedral
Construction: Built in 1956.
Namesake: Named after Arthur H. Vandenberg (1884-1951), who graduated first in his class from Grand Rapids Central High School and studied law at the University of Michigan. He was Michigan’s Senator from 1928 until his death in 1951, after a career in journalism.
Current Status: Vandenberg continues to operate as an elementary school.

Website: Vandenberg Elementary

Shear Elementary School

Location: 26141 Schoolcraft
Construction: Built in 1949.
Namesake: Named for Sylvester Shear, a prominent Board Member in early Redford Township.
Early Use: Initially served as an elementary school.
Overcrowding: Due to overcrowding at Thurston High School in the late 1960s, some classes were held at Shear.
Closure: Elementary classes continued until the early 1970s.

Current Use: The building now serves as the administrative offices for the school district, SOAR Academic Institute, and the Brian Galdes Innovation Center.

Ashcroft Elementary School

- Location: 9501 Sioux
- Construction: Built in 1948.

Namesake: Named after Clyde Ashcroft.

Closure:

Interim Use: For a time, job training programs were held here.

Demolition: Closed at an unspecified time and was demolished around 2014.

Current Use: The site is now Ashcroft Park.

Rogers Elementary School

Location: 12925 Fenton
Construction: Built in 1956.
Namesake: Named for the famous American humorist Will Rogers.
Closure: Closed in the mid-1970s due to declining enrollment, with most students transferring to Addams.
Interim Use: The Gibson School for the Gifted utilized the site from 1980 through 2005.
Demolition: The site was vacant for many years and was demolished in 2022.

Future Plans: The site is planned to become a park.

Mann Elementary School

Location: 12121 Hemingway
Construction: Built in 1957.
Namesake: Named after Horace Mann (1796-1859), an American educational reformer known as the Father of American Education.
Closure: Closed in 1976, with most students transferring to Fisher.
Current Use: After modifications, it reopened as the Redford Township Community Center.

Website: Redford Community Center

Mason Elementary School

Location: 23750 Elmira
Construction: Built in 1950.
Namesake: Named after Stephens Thomson Mason, the first governor of Michigan (1835-1840). He was the youngest state governor in American history, taking office at the age of 24.
Closure: Closed in the 1970s.

Current Use: Various organizations have occupied the building. Since 2019, the Westfield Academy operates on the site.

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