*Photo provided by Superintendent Camille Hibbler
Former students, educators and neighbors gathered Sept. 26 at the historic Grant School building, now the Tri-County Educational Center, to share memories and add their stories to the record of one of the Ferndale area's most historic schools.
FERNDALE, Mich. — One hundred years after Ulysses S. Grant School first opened its doors in September 1926, generations of former students, educators, families and neighbors came home to celebrate, joined by Superintendent Camille Hibbler and members of the Ferndale Public Schools Board of Education.
Friends of Royal Oak Township Inc. hosted Grant 100: The 100th Birthday Party on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the historic Grant School building in Royal Oak Township, now home to Ferndale Public Schools' Tri-County Educational Center. Outdoor displays walked guests through Grant's history decade by decade. Guests reconnected with classmates, shared their Grant stories, left wishes as part of the "100 Wishes for Grant" collection and gathered for a centennial community photograph.
"Grant's 100th birthday belongs to every generation that passed through its doors," said Brigitte R. Hall, executive director of Friends of Royal Oak Township. "We wanted former students, educators, families and neighbors to come home, share their memories and see themselves in this history. The centennial is not only about remembering the past. It is about making sure the people who lived this story become part of the record we leave for the next generation."
A school built in a time of growth
Grant opened during a period of rapid change. A July 1, 1926, newspaper article documented rising enrollment and new school construction across Ferndale-area districts, including work connected to Grant. By that September, the school was welcoming students.
Over the decades, Grant's role evolved with its community. It first served children through eighth grade, later served students in grades K-6 and K-5, and also housed preschool and adult education programs.
Like other Ferndale schools of its era, Grant was named for a U.S. president, and it was the only school in Royal Oak Township. The building later housed Grant Early Childhood Center before becoming Tri-County Educational Center, which still serves Ferndale students today.
Honoring the full story
Grant's history includes difficult, important chapters about race and educational opportunity. In 1941, Grant parents and teachers protested conditions at the school and demanded better for their children. Organizers say those experiences are part of the history being commemorated, not separate from it.
The organization's archival collection preserves photographs of Grant students and faculty from the 1930s and 1940s, including a 1937 girls' physical education demonstration and a 1940 classroom scene. In 2023, Michigan installed a historical marker recognizing Grant's history, and it was publicly dedicated in 2024.
Living memory joins the historical record
The centennial brought that historical record together with the people who lived it, including alumni and former educators whose ties to Grant span generations.
Former students and staff were encouraged to identify their years at Grant, reconnect with classmates and share memories that will help preserve the school's story for future generations.
"It was an honor to celebrate with so many people whose lives were shaped inside Grant's walls," Hibbler said. "Grant's story is part of Ferndale's story. We are grateful to Friends of Royal Oak Township for bringing generations together and for making sure their voices become part of the history we pass on to our students."
Former students and staff who were unable to attend can share their Grant memories or photographs with Friends of Royal Oak Township at bhall@forot.org. A video about Grant School is available via YouTube.
About Ferndale Public Schools
Founded in 1887, Ferndale Public Schools serves approximately 3,100 students from the communities of Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township and portions of Hazel Park. The district provides a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school, offering rigorous academics, innovative learning opportunities, award-winning arts and athletics, career and technical education, and comprehensive social-emotional supports. Recognized for its commitment to equity, inclusion and student-centered learning, Ferndale Public Schools empowers every student to discover their potential, achieve academic success and become engaged members of their communities.
To learn more about Ferndale Public Schools, visit the website. To stay up to date on district news, events and announcements, visit the News page.
*Media contact
Brittany Mobley, Director of Communications
Ferndale Public Schools | brittany.mobley@ferndaleschools.org