G. A. R. Memorial Junior/Senior High School Explained

G.A.R. Memorial Junior Senior High School
Motto:"Sons of the Blue and Gray"
Established:1925
Closed:2021
Type:Junior-Senior High School
District:Wilkes-Barre Area School District
Grades:7-12
Principal:Sean McLaughlin
Staff:59.56 (FTE)
Ratio:16.39
Students:976 (2018-19)[1]
Colors:Blue and Gray
Mascot:Grenadiers
Streetaddress:250 South Grant Street
City:Wilkes-Barre
State:Pennsylvania
Zipcode:18702
Country:United States
Coordinates:41.234°N -75.883°W
Website:School website

G.A.R. Memorial Junior/Senior High School (commonly known throughout the area simply as 'G.A.R.') was a high school located on 250 South Grant Street, in Wilkes-Barre, located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States.

G.A.R. was both a junior and senior public high school, offering education to students in grades 7–12. It was named for the Grand Army of the Republic.[2] In 2021, it was consolidated with other high schools in the area to form Wilkes-Barre Area High School. The school continues to operate, now as a middle school for grades 6th-8th.

History

The school was built in 1925 after construction started in 1921, four years earlier. In 1978, the school district decided to make extensions to the school; this construction was completed in October 1979. The extension included a new cafeteria, gym, chorus room, and band room. The original shop building was demolished and turned into the faculty parking, the Girls Gym was changed into the Library and Girls Gym changing room was remodeled into the Home Ec rooms, the Boys Gym was remodeled into the Tech Ed room, the Boys Gym changing room was changed into the Woodshop room, and the chorus and band rooms were bricked off.

In 2005, a weight room was added. In 2013, the school installed a new turf field in front of the building, replacing the old turf which was worn and damaged after years of use.

The school was consolidated into Wilkes-Barre Area High School prior to the 2021–2022 school year. It is being renovated to be used as a middle school.[3]

Notable alumni

References

  1. Web site: G A R Memorial JSHS. National Center for Education Statistics. October 5, 2020. April 1, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190401180724/https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/school_detail.asp?Search=1&DistrictID=4226300&ID=422630003008. live.
  2. Web site: GAR Memorial Junior Senior High School. publicschoolreview.com. April 25, 2011. May 24, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110524224123/http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/71372. live.
  3. Web site: Guydish. Mark. 2021-07-30. WB Area sets ribbon cutting for new school. 2021-08-30. Times Leader. en-US. July 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210730084905/https://www.timesleader.com/news/1504756/wb-area-sets-ribbon-cutting-for-new-school-2. live.
  4. News: Michael Sisak. August 6, 2010. Skrepenak sentenced to 24 months in prison, fine. The Times-Tribune. thetimes-tribune.com. August 9, 2010. October 28, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101028055314/http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/skrepenak-sentenced-to-24-months-in-prison-fine-1.927570. live.
  5. News: Barbara Loftus. August 15, 1985. For Famous Artist Sam Savitt, GAR school days were his 'golden' ones. Citizens' Voice. October 21, 2018. October 21, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181021111809/https://samsavittart.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/profile-wilkes-barre-citizens-voice-aug-15-1985.pdf. live.
  6. Web site: Leader . Times . 2015-06-26 . Late Coach founder got start here . 2023-12-31 . Times Leader . en-US.