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About APS Links
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About APS
– History
What's in a Name?
Middle
School Names
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Goodrich Middle
School |
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Constructed |
1930 (as an elementary school) |
|
Additions |
converted to a junior high in 1954, 1967 |
| Named in honor of |
Benjamin Franklin Goodrich (1841-88) |
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In 1870 Dr. Benjamin F. Goodrich came to Akron, secured
financial backing and established the first rubber factory
west of the Alleghenies, on the banks of the Ohio Canal near
Exchange Street. Previously he had practiced medicine,
prospected for oil, worked in a shipping company and entered
the real estate business. He had also acquired ownership of
a small rubber company in New York, which proved to be a
losing venture.
From 1881-82, Goodrich served on Akron City Council. |
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Goodyear Middle
School |
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Constructed |
1918 (the original East High School) |
|
Addition |
1952 |
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Named in honor of |
Charles Goodyear (1800-60) |
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In 1844 Charles Goodyear discovered and patented the
vulcanization process, basic to the rubber manufacturing
industry. F. A. Seiberling purchases 12 acres of land in
east Akron and launched a company in 1898 to which he gave
the name, Goodyear, in order to perpetuate the name of the
inventor who had discovered vulcanization. The area
surrounding the company became known as Goodyear Heights.
By the time the new East High opened in 1955, the old Goodyear
building had undergone alterations (including an addition)
and become a junior high school. Its name was also changed
at that time. The conversion of the old building to a junior
high was part of a system-wide adoption of the 6-3-3 plan of
elementary, junior high and senior high schools. The 6-3-3
plan enabled Akron Public Schools to house the burgeoning
enrollment of the post-war baby boom and, at that time,
provide modern high school facilities. |
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Hyre Middle School |
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Constructed |
1960 |
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Additions |
1963, 1971 |
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Named in honor of |
Robert G. Hyre (1894-1961) |
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Robert G. Hyre began his career with Akron Public Schools in
1929 when the Ellet District became part of Akron. From
1934-50, he served as principal of the old Ellet High School
and was given the task of organizing the new Ellet High
School. He continued as principal of this new school until
his resignation in 1956. |
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Innes Middle School |
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Constructed |
1959 |
|
Addition |
1964 |
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Named in honor of |
Walter J. Innes (1909-44) |
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Walter J. Innes was a 1926 honor graduate from Kenmore High
School. In 1932-33, he taught physical education in Akron
Public Schools; and in 1934 he returned to Kenmore High to
teach history.
The life of Walter Innes was characterized by his desire to
serve. With the advent of World War II, he felt the priority
of service to his country and in 1942 joined the Army. He
was killed in action in France in 1944. |
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Jennings Middle
School |
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Constructed |
1915 |
|
Additions |
1917, 1921, 1957 |
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Named in honor of |
Isaac Jennings (1822-87) |
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The Rev. Isaac Jennings has been called the father and founder
of Akron Public Schools.
On May 16, 1846, a public meeting of Akron citizens was held
"to take into consideration our present educational
provisions and the improvement, if any, which can be made
therein." The Rev. Jennings was made chairman of a committee
appointed to work out a plan to be presented to the
legislature.
On November 21, 1846, a meeting was held at Mechanics Hall;
and a report was submitted. It provided for incorporating
the whole town into one school district; for grading the
schools into primary, and secondary, and later a high
school; for free admission to all schools; for support of
all by general taxations; and for the election of a school
board having full supervision of school matters.
This plan for school organization was later adopted by the
Ohio State Legislature. |
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Roswell Kent Middle
School |
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Constructed |
first building 1882, present building 1954 |
|
Additions |
1960, 1977 (LRC) |
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Named in honor of |
Roswell Kent (1798-1871) |
Roswell Kent became involved in the manufacturing of woolen
machinery. He was married to Eliza Hart, the first white
child born within the present city limits of Akron. Her
parents had been the first settlers of Middlebury.
The first Kent School (pictured to the left) was located on
South Arlington Street and functioned as an elementary
school. It closed in 1940 and was sold in 1946. |
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Litchfield Middle
School |
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Constructed |
1959 |
|
Addition |
1964 |
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Named in honor of |
Paul Weeks Litchfield (1875-1959) |
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In 1900 Paul W. Litchfield came to Akron from Boston, assuming
the role of superintendent of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber
Co. In 1926 he became president of the company,
relinquishing this role in 1940 but remaining as chairman of
the board and chief executive officer.
Litchfield felt strongly about the value of education,
regarding it as a primary force in the lives of individuals.
He was one of the first technically-trained,
college-graduated men to enter the rubber industry. He
established the Goodyear Training Center and was an active,
ardent supporter of Akron Public Schools and the University
of Akron. |
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Perkins Middle School |
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Constructed |
first building 1872, second building 1920, third building 1954 |
|
Addition |
1975 |
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Named in honor of |
Colonel Simon Perkins (1805-87) |
Simon Perkins Jr., son of General Simon Perkins, founder of
Akron, came to Akron in 1835. Colonel (the title is
honorary) Perkins was a promoter of the Atlantic and Great
Western Railroad and the Akron branch of the Cleveland &
Pittsburgh Railroad (known later as the C. A. & C.
Railroad).
Perkins served as a state senator and Summit County's first
representative. He was a trustee of Portage Township and
first president of the Akron Rural Cemetery (Glendale).
Among the many donations of land made by Colonel Perkins
were the town parks of Union and Grace.
In 1949 Perkins
Elementary School (pictured to the right), located on the
south side of West Exchange Street between Bowery and Locust
streets, no longer housed elementary students. Because the
district did not want to lose the name of one of the city's
founders, the Perkins name was resurrected when the Mull
Avenue middle school was built in 1954. |
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Riedinger Middle
School |
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Constructed |
1979 |
|
Named in honor of |
Mabel M. Riedinger |
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Mabel M. Riedinger began her long and illustrious career in
education as a teacher in Akron Public Schools in 1926. She
taught at Bryan, West and Buchtel. In 1947 she joined the
faculty of the University of Akron, where she became a
teacher of teachers.
Dr. Riedinger served as a member of the Akron Board of
Education from 1950 to 1970. In 1975 she returned as a board
member for a five-month interim appointment. While serving
on the board, Dr. Riedinger chaired the Committee on
Instructional Policy, guiding decisions central to the
development of a sound educational program.
In addition to her tenure on the Board, Dr. Riedinger had
a major influence on teacher education programs and
established a remarkable record of community service.
Recognizing her many achievements, the Akron Board of
Education – in March 1977 – decided to name the new middle
school to be built in Opportunity Park in her honor. |
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