The Jamestown Public School District has a proud history of innovation and achievement since its inception. Among these are:
Between 1865 and 1890 the school district initiated physical education training (calisthenics) for students, professional training and instruction for teachers, musical instruction in all classes, manual training (shop for boys, sewing for girls) for students, parent conferences, and Superintendent Samuel G. Love published a textbook on manual and industrial training which was used to help set up industrial education programs all over the country. From 1890 to 1925 the district introduced the free textbook system, established reading classes and school libraries, introduced kindergarten into two grammar schools, established a Mothers Club (forerunner of PTA), initiated special classes for special needs students and an adult education program, and saw the beginning of the Jamestown High School Band. In the period 1925 to 1965 the schools and city created a city-wide recreation program, implemented the first Pupil Personnel Service in the State, began a Practical Nursing Program in agreement with a local hospital, entered into the federal school lunch program, and launched the Head Start Program. From 1966 through 1982 the District elected to participate in the new BOCES, established a student work-study program, initiated a pre-kindergarten program and extensive computer courses for students. In 1983 the State Education Department cited Jamestown as one of the outstanding districts in New York State.
More recent achievements and innovations include an elective program at Jamestown High School, an advanced reading program, participation in Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (DARE), and Youth Engaged in Service (YES) programs, and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute's Selborne Project for middle school students.
Innovative grants have established: the Community School Project (a national model) and its wide variety of programs and services "to improve the educational achievement of children by effecting positive changes in their home environment in concert with the schools"; the School and Business Alliance (SABA), committed to uniting employers, labor and community organizations with students and schools in a collaborative effort to reduce the at-risk population and to improve scholastic achievement; and a School-to-Work initiative with students participating in youth apprenticeships and internships with local businesses (also a national model). The Jamestown Public School District has also been honored with visiting educators and students from Europe, Australia, Japan and Russia.
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