Which Modesto City Schools elementary, high schools are the oldest and still in use?

Modesto’s Sonoma Elementary School celebrated its 50th anniversary Saturday, Sept. 21. But in a K-12 district with six schools more than a century old, that really makes it only middle age.

Opened in 1974, Sonoma School was founded in response to a community need for a dedicated school to serve students with orthopedic impairments and other special needs.

In Modesto City Schools, there are six schools over 100 years old , according to the McHenry Museum & Historical Society’s January newsletter.

Which Modesto schools have reached or well surpassed the century mark?

MODESTO HIGH SCHOOL - 1883

This year, Modesto High School turned 141. The current location on 18 H St. was built in 1918. It is one of the oldest high schools in California.

When it was built in the area of 12th and L streets, it was the first dedicated high school institution in Stanislaus County.

FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY - 1910

This year, Fairview Elementary School turned 114. When it opened, the school had its own district before it merged with Modesto City Schools in 1948.

The current location at 1937 W. Whitmore Ave. was built in 1951, in the outskirts of west Modesto.

ROOSEVELT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL - 1919

This year, Roosevelt Junior High School turned 105. It first opened in the area of 12th and L streets and moved to its current location at College and West Orangeburg avenues in 1951.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 1923

This year, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School turned 101. After the original school closed in 1951, Franklin School moved to its current location at 120 S. Emerald Ave.

The original school’s building remains as it is used for district offices on 426 Locust St. The district office is one of the oldest buildings in Modesto.

JOHN MUIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - 1923.

This year, John Muir Elementary turned 101. It is also built around the same time as Franklin Elementary School. The school also moved in 1951 to its current location at 1215 Lucern Ave. In 2007, a fire destroyed its original location at East Morris Avenue.

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