Olive Elementary School Celebrates 60 Years of Educating Novato’s Children

The Novato Unified School District is excited to celebrate 60 years of education at Olive Elementary School, the oldest school in the district.  To mark this special occasion, the Olive community is bringing Olive’s past, present and future generations together at a free 60th Anniversary Party being held on Saturday, March 23, 2-5 pm, at Olive School.  This will be an afternoon of nostalgia and fun with music, a sock hop, and classic car exhibit.  At 4 pm, there will be a photo opportunity for all alumni.  For more information on the 60th Anniversary Party, please visit www.olivesharks.com. 

 Built in 1952 on a 13-acre parcel at a cost of $19,000, Olive Elementary School was built in 1952 in response to the ever growing population and after the closing of the Grant Avenue School which didn’t meet earthquake standards.   Miss Lulu Sutton (1882-1959) became the first principal at Olive School, retiring in 1958 after 40 years of service.  Lu Sutton School on Center Road was named in her honor.  In 1952, the population of the Novato was around 3,496, median value of a house was $11,666, and median income for a family in 1949 was $3,417.

Originally a six-room school, Olive School was further developed in 1958 to relieve congestion and double sessions.  This development included 12 more classrooms, a kindergarten area, administrative offices for the district, and a general purpose room.  In addition, an entrance from Olive Avenue was constructed along with enlarging the playgrounds.  All this for $90,000!

Novato’s first grammar school was built in 1859 and the Novato School District was established in 1862.  It was comprised of one school until 1949 when it merged with the Black Point School District.  More information on the history of Novato Schools can be found on the NUSD website (www.nusd.org) under About NUSD/History of NUSD’s Schools.