Park School
1913 - a school is begun for wayward girls.
1917 - In all probability this is the last report in which I shall mention the Evangeline school, for it has ceased to exist. It is difficult for me to discuss the history of the Evangeline school with composure. Every time I think of the Evangeline school and realize that the board of education has been deprived of this most necessary institution for the salvation of wayward girls, I become so indignant that it is difficult to me to speak with moderation. Previous to the school year 1913-14 the board of education ha not bee able to make any provision for the care of wayward girls. an attempt was made to secure the Bissell House on Ottawa avenue to be used s a home for girls who are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. After careful investigation the board of education decided not to undertake that enterprise, chiefly because it did not seem possible under the law for the board of education to conduct a parental school in which pubic money could be expended for the maintenance of the inmates.
When the project of building the Evangeline Home was undertaken by the Salvation Army, the question of establishing a school for girls in that home was taken up with the proper authorities. The board of education agreed to conduct a school in that home and the building was built with that plan in mind - in the fall of 1913. In the latter part of the year 1916-17 a group of people, whose motives I have never been able to fathom, conspired to make it impossible for the judge of the juvenile court to send girls to the Evangeline Home, and they succeeded in reducing the number of girls sent to this home to such a low point that in the fall of 1917 it was necessary to abandon the school. We are now in the same situation in which we have always been with the exception of the years 1913 to 1917, inclusive. There are just as many wayward girls as there ever were. There always will be wayward girls who need the protection and guidance of such an institution as the Evangeline Home and school. Now the only thing that can be done with these girls who conduct is such that they cannot be retained in the regular schools is to turn them loose without protection and without guidance. This I have done contrary to the law, believing that it is not right to retain in regular school wayward girls whose association with other girls would be very injurious to the other girls.
corner of Fulton and fuller
1953 Sanborn Fire Map pg 632 shows the future Park School
Grand Rapids Press 26 Mar 1998 - bond issue proposal
Park School
135 students, 11.5teachers
Built: 1955, renovated in 1994
Existing square feet: 21,297
Proposed new square feet: 1,910
Cost: $2.1 million
Highlights: $1.1 million to remodel classrooms, library, restrooms and
corridors, upgrade boiler and replace electric system; a $219,000 addition of
main offices and restrooms, and $248,300 for computers and video equipment.
From Article School History
From Heading History and the City of GrandRapids
From web site: MyCityofGrandRapids.info