Ann Arbor Public Schools

Administrative offices of the public school system of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

From the description of Ann Arbor Public Schools records, 1838-1976. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34423133

From the description of Ann Arbor Public Schools records, 1833-1994 (bulk 1838-1976). (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 85778138

The first 'school' in Washtenaw County was an outdoor school held in the summer of 1825 near Platt Road, eventually replaced by a log cabin. In 1837 another log cabin school was erected in Pittsfield Township, at which site in 1953 would be built Meadowview School. The development of the schools in Pittsfield Township is well-documented in this collection, in the Pittsfield Township, 1833-1960 series.

Historically, schools grew from small population centers and then gradually merged and coalesced into larger systems. Small settlements grew into villages then to townships. There were annexations by Ann Arbor which brought rural school districts into the urban system. Events affecting population movements, such as World War I and World War II, impacted school development. State legislation would address the educational needs of growing areas as the demands for education grew over the decades.

The Ann Arbor Board of Education has almost continuous documentation through meeting minutes and Board agendas which reflect the organizational activities of the administration.

Researchers will notice that documentation is sometimes scattered and with gaps, but there is sufficient evidence of major events such as desegregation of the Ann Arbor Public Schools in the 1960's that gives a good picture of the times. Scrapbooks form a large part of the collection for the twentieth century for the period of 1933-1969. Clippings highlight not only school events and achievements, but also the events in the larger community that impact school policy.

Related collections are: Ann Arbor Public Schools Faculty Wives and Otto W. Haisley, who was superintendent in the 1920's. Researchers may also consult the Ann Arbor, Michigan photographic collection for photographs of schools. Pittsfield (Washtenaw County, Mich.) is a related collection that contains the earliest School district records for Pittsfield Township as held by the county, such as school census and annual reports, directors reports, and inspector's reports.. A resource created in 2003, the Brown v. the Board of Education Archive, highlights desegregation in the Ann Arbor Schools and the Jones School closing. As of 2013 the link for this digital exhibit is: http://www.lib.umich.edu/brown-versus-board-education/. A History of Desegregation of the Ann Arbor Public Schools, 1954-1976 by Mary Jo Frank is available online (as of 2013) at http://name.umdl.umich.edu/AUS0335.0001.001

From the guide to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Records, 1833-2011, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)