This Historical Sketch is taken from the 1879-80 SF Muni Report DENMAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL This school is pleasantly located on the northwest corner of Bush and Taylor streets, in a fine large sixteen-class brick building, erected in 1864. It is now exclusively a girls' school, and contains 825 pupils. This was one of the first free schools organized in the city, and was opened on the 17th of November, 1851**, in a small one-story rented building, near the corner of Second and Minna streets, and was then called the "Happy Valley School." It was removed in November, 1853, to a wooden building on Bush street near Sansome street, where retained until the 21st of May, 1854, when it was transferred to the brick school house on the corner of Bush Stockton, now used to accommodate some of the classes of the Bush Street Primary School. It was again removed in July, 1864, to its present location. It was first organized as a mixed school for boys and girls, but in July 1865, the sexes were separated, and the boys were transferred to the Lincoln School. this school was first taught by James DENMAN, who remained as Principal till May 4, 1857, when he resigned on account of ill health. In consideration of his being one of the pioneer teachers of our present system of free schools, the Teachers' Institute of the city petitioned the Board of Education to have this first public , which he had organized and taught so long named the "Denman Grammar School." The Board of Education, in granting the request of the teachers of the city, unanimously passed the following order: Resolved, That we fully appreciate the obligations of this Board, as well as that of all friends of education, to Mr. Denman as the pioneer teacher in the Public Schools of this city, and in token thereof, cheerfully accede to the request made by the teachers, and hereby order that the Bush Street Grammar School be hereafter designated and known as the Denman Grammar School. ------------ Associated link Denmans Girls's School 6th Grade Class List 1880 http://www.rootsweb.com/~casanfra/denman80.htm Carolyn