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SAN DIEGO – A landmark in the community for 80 years, Andrew Jackson Elementary School will begin a new life next year, as the neighborhood’s public school will move a few blocks away to the newly constructed Mary Lanyon Fay Elementary.
Jackson’s last neighborhood public school students, along with staff and alumni, will celebrate the milestone with a ceremony scheduled from 8:30-9:30 a.m., on Monday, July 21. That’s the last day of classes at Jackson, which is on a year-round schedule. Former Jackson Elementary students, teachers, staff and parents are welcome to attend.
No exact numbers are available, but it’s estimated that more than 50,000 students were educated at the school, which wraps around businesses at the busy corner of 54th Street and El Cajon Boulevard. This year’s 681 students will be the last in that line. Next year, the Jackson site will be used by the Iftin Charter School and the district’s ALBA program.
“Leaving Jackson is bittersweet,” said Eileen Moreno, current Jackson and future Fay principal. “We are taking many wonderful memories with us and are extremely excited about creating many new ones at Fay Elementary. The children will be thrilled when they enter their new school!”
Jackson opened as a “small frame school house” in 1929, with one teacher, Mrs. Recia E. Moon, and students in grades 1-3. The school grew over the years, including expansions in 1952 and 1957. Most recently, a library media center was added in 2004, as well as other improvements under the most recent district voter-approved bond issue, Proposition MM. Monday’s celebration is open to the public. For more information, call the school at (619) 582-3527.
