Our School
Welcome to Pierce Downer!
We are PD!
Pierce Downer School History
Pierce Downer started out as a kindergarten through fourth grade school in 1952. The building has grown through several additions. In 1959 the school expanded to serve grades K through 6. A second addition was built in 1967. In 1985 the library doubled in size and acquired a unique, sunken storytelling area. Two classrooms were added and the kindergarten classroom and front office expanded in 1989. In 1993 an addition created four new classrooms, a larger computer lab and more space in the parking lot and asphalt playground. During the summer of 1997, another new classroom was added to the school as well as some interior remodeling to provide additional space for resource, social work, speech and school psychologist services. A new roof and gym floor were added during the summer of 2001.
In 1961 the students were divided between Pierce Downer and Longfellow schools. Pierce Downer housed primarily the intermediate grades. Through the years there were some variations in the distribution of students, but the two schools shared a principal and had a joint PTA. Due to declining enrollment, Longfellow was closed in June of 1978 and now houses the teacher center, library processing center, board meeting rooms, and maintenance shop. The primary classes returned to Pierce Downer for the 1978-79 school year. However, in that year, Pierce Downer sixth graders attended Washington School, which then closed in June 1979. Since September 1979, Pierce Downer has operated as a K through 6 school, with the exception of the 1989-90 year, when it operated as a K through 5 school with sixth graders attending Herrick.
Traditionally, Pierce Downer School was known throughout the community for its pumpkin festival, which included the sale of pumpkins, refreshments and carnival rides. The year 1992 was historic, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the school’s opening and the 200th birthday of the founder of Downers Grove, Pierce Downer, as well as the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Village of Downers Grove. 1994-95 was the first time Pierce Downer School housed three sections of a grade level—three kindergarten classes. Enrollment continued to increase through the next 15 years.
In May of 2013, ground was broken on a construction project that included a 3-classroom addition and significant renovation to the library, teachers’ lounge, and reading room. This project was the result of years of study by the Board of Education and input from parents, staff, and community members. During the summer of 2013 all carpeting was replaced in the building, most with tile flooring. The construction and renovation allowed for increased classroom space as well as appropriate small group learning space with a design cognizant of 21st century learning. On August 26, 2013, the 423 students at Pierce Downer walked through new doors, onto new floors, and into new spaces for the first time, marking the completion of the first significant construction project in District 58 in nearly two decades.
In the spring of 2019 we surveyed parents, students, and staff to come to a common set of school-wide values. After information from all the groups was compiled, we worked to determine our school focus for the 19-20 school year. This year, school experiences will be designed around 6 core values. At Pierce Downer, all parents, students and staff will strive to be:
Kind
Responsible
Determined
Trustworthy
Respectful
Empathetic
Reminders
- Please be aware of our school traffic plan, which can be found here.
- We are a “no-food” treat school; as you celebrate your child’s birthday, please remember that we do not allow food treats to come to school.
- All visitors must check in at our school office. Between 8:20-2:55, only those with scheduled appointments will be allowed beyond the office area. Thank you for helping to ensure the safety, security, and focus of all of our children!
- If your child forgets their lunch or another item, there is a table outside of the office door where you can place that item with their name on it. We encourage our students to check that table for their items during the day.
