By Beth Scherer
of the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society,
for The Sanatoga Post
A 1907 commencement program from the predecessor to Pottsgrove High
POTTSTOWN PA – In just three weeks (June 16, 2011, to be precise), members of the Pottsgrove High School Class of 2011 will head onto a stage to receive their diplomas. Most are ending a 13-year stay within the Pottsgrove School District. They began at Lower Pottsgrove, West Pottsgrove, or Ringing Rocks elementary schools; then united at the Middle School, and spent their last four years at the Kauffman Road high school.
It wasn’t too long ago, however, that those buildings didn’t even exist.
Once there were five one-room school houses in the area now known as Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, and they provided education only through 8th grade. Most historical data documenting Pottsgrove schools is available from the latter part of the 1800s, but some were operating many years earlier. And as the township population expanded, two more schools were added.
Until September 1955, students who lived in Lower Pottsgrove students attended Pottstown High School for their secondary education.
It was during ’55 that Upper, Lower, and West Pottsgrove townships undertook the process of working together to form the Pottsgrove School District. Initially its 7th graders went to West Pottsgrove High School, which is now the elementary school. Pottsgrove Senior High opened its doors in September 1958, and the first commencement ceremony was held there the following spring (1959).
More than 50 years later, the Class of 2011 will receive its diplomas on the same grounds. Hail, Pottsgrove High!, and congratulations to the Class of 2011.
Editor’s note: The Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society was formed in 1985 to share the heritage of Lower Pottsgrove Township with its residents. It meets on the second Wednesday of every month at its museum and offices in the former Sanatoga Chapel, 2341 E. High St., Sanatoga PA. Author and society member Beth Scherer writes about Lower Pottsgrove history monthly for The Post. The society usually holds an open house on the last Sunday of every month; the May session has been canceled due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Photos from the Historical Society
Have three Pottsgove High graduates in my family. All were well prepared for challenges after their graduation. Teachers in our school district do a good job of educating our kids. The challenge in these times of austerity and declining incomes is maintaining the quality cores and still allowing for extracuriculars to be character and quality of life builders for our students. As we said in my Army days, above the rest and no slack!
Keep up the good work. Congratulations to the Class of 2011!
Ditto!