SCHOOL HISTORY

Astoria Park Elementary School opened in the fall of 1969. Edna Owens was appointed principal and has continued in this capacity. In selecting her initial faculty, Mrs. Owens looked for flexibility and open-mindedness in the teachers she interviewed.

Students attending Astoria Park in 1969-70 selected to attend this school from among four other elementary schools located in adjacent areas. The physical facilities of Astoria Park were designed to accommodate twenty-five students per classroom, K-6. Enrollments exceeded our projections by 250 and as a result, classes were forced to accept many more students than originally planned. Class areas designed for a twenty-five student maximum had to accommodate an average of thirty-five per class.

In February 1970, a United States District Court Order declared complete abolishment of any remaining dual school programs in Leon County. This action resulted in the exchange of a curriculum coordinator and two classroom teachers from Astoria Park to other schools in the county to achieve a racial balance.

During the 1970-71 school year, the Leon District Board of Public Instruction initiated changes in the existing school zones. As a result, all elementary and secondary students in Leon District are assigned to a specific school. All district elementary schools became K-5 which temporarily relieved the over-crowded situation at Astoria Park.

The relief from overcrowding vanished rapidly as construction of homes and apartments began in the Astoria Park area. During the 1974-75 school year, the Leon District Board of Public Instruction again initiated changes in school zones. A grand-fathering clause was added (which allowed students who were out of the new zone lines to remain in the school where they were enrolled. A number of students returned to Astoria Park under the grand-fathering clause resulting in little relief in the overcrowded situation.

The very rapid rate of construction of homes and apartments in the area has continued resulting in classes ranging from 26-35 students.

There are no plans at the present time to increase the size of the school plant or expand the acreage to accommodate increases in enrollment.