| Medary Avenue Elementary School | |
| Other Name: | Medary Elementary School |
| Mapframe: | yes |
| Mapframe-Zoom: | 13 |
| Location: | 2500 Medary Avenue, Columbus, Ohio |
| Architect: | David Riebel |
| Architecture: | Richardsonian Romanesque |
Medary Avenue Elementary School is a school building in the Old North Columbus neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. The building was constructed in 1892 and was designed by prolific school architect David Riebel.[1]
The three-story building has a "monumental block-type design". It was built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style of architecture, which was a popular style for many public buildings throughout the late 19th century and early 20th century.[2]
The school was recognized as one of Columbus's historically significant schools, in a 2002 report by the Columbus Landmarks Foundation. The building retains its historic details and character, and only has a single-story addition to its rear.[2] The structure features many gables and gable wall dormers, an element prominently featuring in Riebel's 1890s designs. The building uses a combination of smooth-dressed and rock-faced stone. The south facade features large compound round-arched openings, supported by compound impost blocks, both carved and smooth.[1]
Medary Elementary School was built in 1892, designed by David Riebel, who was hired as the first Columbus Public Schools architect in 1893.[2] The building was one of a few, including Avondale Elementary, designed by Riebel before he became the lead architect for Columbus City Schools.[2]
During the era of segregation in public schools, white students were educated on a separate floor from Black students. At one time, the school's sole Black student was educated in a classroom near the janitor office and storage rooms, also on a separate floor.[3]
Medary Elementary School closed in 2007 amid declining enrollment. At the time, the school served only 140 students, fewer than any other traditional elementary school in the district.[4] While it had an unclear future, in 2008, the county sheriff's office performed school-shooting drills in the building, keeping the building in use.[5]
The building then served as the primary school for Bridgeway Academy, formerly Helping Hands Center for Special Needs, from 2008 to 2021. Bridgeway purchased a property on Alum Creek Drive, consolidating its primary and secondary schools; it opened in 2021.[6] [7]