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Mann Oh Mann: Horace Mann School

June 23rd, 2009 @ 12:18 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildingsborder
I promised Vintage Seattle reader Penny Simmons a post on Nova High School (Horace Mann) in the Central District. I’m quite late, but here we are. To see the full history of 1902 Horace Mann School, check out this pdf. Take it away, Penny:
I am the Godmother of a young lady (Brittaney) who just graduated this past year from Nova High School. Brittaney was literally “saved” from educational extinction by the incredibly dedicated and highly energized staff at Nova. When the traditional school system in Kent could not provide the learning environment for someone like Brittaney, she was kicked out of her home and came to live with us two years ago. At 15 she was NOT an educational fan and it looked like we had a major job ahead of us. Then we were blessed to find Nova through Bill Morrison, a neighbor who is a teacher in the Burien School District. Thanks to some great tips from Bill, we were able to enroll Brittaney in Nova and the rest is history. She graduated with a 3.9, received one of only 10 scholarships awarded for college, from the Seattle School District, and after completing her studies at Global College in New York, hopes to come back to Nova to teach again someday. Check out the history of the drummer in Pearl Jam - who is one of the more highlighted of Nova’s Alumni.

Nova is in a very precarious position today - as it is home to less than 400 students, and although one would never know it receives any type of funding (by going inside of the building), from the Seattle School District, they are considering closing it down.

I only express this so you can see the sincerity I present, when I ask for a highlight on your site for Nova High School.

I would LOVE to have more historic photos of this great old building. This has been the education home to some outstanding citizens of which many continue to reside in Seattle…..
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The school in 1905, then known as Walla Walla. Photo courtesy MOHAI.
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Horace Mann, 1940.
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NOVA Project @ Horace Mann, 2009.
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NOVA Project @ Horace Mann, 2009.
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NOVA Project @ Horace Mann, 2009.

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4 Responses:

  1. Mark wrote:
    June 23rd, 2009 @ 9:24 am

    I agree, this is a great school. NOVA has helped so many students over the years realize their true potential, and they have gone on to continue their education. I attended Brittaney’s graduation ceremony last year and I was blown away by how much the students loved their school and teachers. The teachers there are truly one-of-a-kind. They really get involved with the students learning and are very dedicated. Not to mention the graduatin ceremony was not your traditional ceremony. It was created and ran by the students themselves. Each and every student had a chance to speak to thank their teachers, family, friends, etc. I would have loved to have gone to a school like this. I truly hope the Seattle School District realizes just what a great asset NOVA school is to the students and the community, and they will do whatever they can to keep NOVA going. Thanks for the great post!!

  2. Joshua Daniel Franklin wrote:
    June 23rd, 2009 @ 9:25 am

    The SPS Archives has a lot of historic photos. We had a few scanned (in low resolution, sorry) for my wife’s thesis on pre-Cooper era schools. The archives is in the SoDo complex down by Starbuck’s headquarters.

  3. Scott Simmons wrote:
    June 23rd, 2009 @ 9:38 am

    Great information

    With all the history we lose to “progress” this is an example of a great place that should have an ongoing place in Seattle’s history.

    Great teachers giving their all

    Scott

  4. didi wrote:
    June 24th, 2009 @ 10:47 am

    Best Vinatge Seatle post title of the week!

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