The History of Sycamore Middle School

The history of the Sycamore facility is related to that of Gridley High School. Following the fire in 1942 that damaged the high school building that was located on this site; the middle grades were housed in the remaining buildings on this site. As enrollments grew in years following the war, plans were made to construct a new facility. Such a facility was constructed at the current site and opened in 1955, serving grades six through eight as well as providing for two kindergarten classrooms.

Truman Middle School?

At the time the school was constructed the school board debated what name to give the new school. When it was suggested that the method used to name both the McKinley and Wilson schools be applied, namely, to name the school after the president in office, there was silence. The president at that time was Harry S. Truman, a name that was not likely to be chosen by the board of trustees, all of who were staunch Republicans. The silence ended when the suggestion was made to name the school after the street on which is was located. This suggestion was immediately seconded and unanimously passed (this anecdote was related by Joe McGie, teacher in the district at that time and the person who made the suggestion).

The Sycamore School is located at 1125 Sycamore Street on approximately 8.3 acres, adjacent to the McKinley School. A cafeteria was added in 1962 and a gymnasium/music facility in 1975. Portable classrooms were added in 1971 and 1992 to accommodate the increased enrollment. The school was modernized in 1993. Currently, Sycamore houses 426 students.