Grammar School Districts Were Plentiful in Ramona’s Early Days

All of the public schools in Ramona today fall under one district: But before the schools unified into one, there were several districts. was its own district and there were several grammar schools that were called Union School Districts.

The first was the Santa Maria Grammar School that opened its doors on July 6, 1881. It was the very first school in Santa Maria Valley and was built on the Budelior property east of town. About 10 years later, the schoolhouse was destroyed by fire

The new school was built on the Stokes Ranch on the road to Black Canyon. The first teacher was a Mrs. Findley, according to records at Ramona Community Library. The original schoolhouse was moved to different locations several times and remains today as a private residence on 11th street.

The next grammar school to be built was called Spring Hills in 1886. Made from adobe brick, it was located on the Warnock property.  A new schoolhouse for Spring Hills was built in 1897 on the Rotanzi Ranch off what is now Sutherland Dam Road. It was made of frame construction and was in use until 1943 when it joined Ramona Union Grammar School District.

The Almond School wasn’t around very long before the students were shifted over to the Spring Hills School. The Viego School, as well as the Almond School, served students living in the area of Pamo Valley. It closed in 1895.

Ramona Grammar School opened on March 11, 1888. The construction was funded by Santa Maria Land and Water Company, and the school was given to the community when the townsite was formed. Classes continued in the one-room school until 1899. Two other buildings were constructed nearby and the grammar school moved in there.

At that time, the high school classes took over the grammar school building and stayed there until 1912 when it moved into the “new school,” which is now the Wilson Administration Center on Ninth Street.

Clevenger Grammar School was another short-lived school before being absorbed by Ramona Union School District. There also was the Montecito School located on the Montecito Ranch at the west end of Montecito Road.

The Earl School District was in business by July 21, 1889, with a little white washboard schoolhouse built on the Etcheverry Ranch. It was named for Etcheverry’s sister. A new schoolhouse was built in 1896 on Mussey Grade Road and is still around today as a private residence.

The Santa Maria and Ramona districts were the first to become a union district. It was formed on May 20, 1921. The Earl District joined them four years later.

There were no school buses at this time. Students were responsible for their own transportation, often by horseback, or by walking to school. When the two districts unified, it was decided there should be free transportation for students who lived too far away to walk. The first school bus driver was a Mr. Lord, library records show.

Spring Hills was the last to join in with the other school districts, waiting until Aug. 14, 1943. By the time it was done forming, Ramona Union Grammar School District served students in an area covering 150 square miles.

History of Ramona schools was researched at Ramona Community Library.