Aguilar School District #6 - A Brief History
The Aguilar Elementary School was completed in 1913. Professor W.B. Hughes became the first superintendent. The first official schoolhouse southwest of Aguilar’s Main Street had been outgrown and the new two-story building on Balsam Street was a welcome addition as the population of the Town of Aguilar grew. Professor Hughes married Marie Kalesar who taught at the Aguilar School for 43 years. The Aguilar High School building was completed in 1924. By 1935 the school enrollment was at 551 with 403 elementary students and 148 high school students
The Gymnasium was built as a WPA project in the 1930s and still stands today. In 2004, School District #6 received a federal grant for $349,000 to upgrade the elementary and high school. The school board voted to demolish both buildings and build a single building for elementary, junior high, and high school. School students voiced concerns of student health and safety because of mold and mildew issues. The Apishapa Valley Historical Society submitted a letter to the school board members requesting a delay in the demolition of the elementary school in order to apply for a grant for a structural assessment from SHF to determine if the building could be saved and used by the community for another purpose, such as a library or a community center.
The board refused the request and the buildings were demolished in 2004. The AVHS photographed the exterior and interior of the buildings before the demolition and we hope this collection of photos will bring back memories for the many students who attended Aguilar schools.
Access the full collection here
