The Massachusetts General Court passed a law in 1642 that reads in part “all parents, guardians and masters must teach their children to read and write. Every township of fifty or more householders must provide free elementary education….”

Maine, still a part of Massachusetts at that time, offered few opportunities for formal education of children. Parents and ministers often served as teachers, most likely using the family Bible as a reading tool.

This arrangement continued until 1765, when the newly incorporated town of Cape Elizabeth created four school districts: Purpoodock, Barren Hill, Long Creek and Spurwink, plus the addition of a “moving school,” so called because the teacher traveled from village to village, remaining for a length of time at each location.

Near the close of the 18th century, the town approved the establishment of a school committee to supervise the district schools town-wide. Each school district formed its own supervising committee responsible for hiring a teacher and furnishing the school.

During the years leading up to 1820 and Maine statehood, the town appropriated $800 annually for maintenance of the school districts. Twenty years later, that amount decreased to $650 annually, yet included two additional school districts. Another 20 years would pass before the appropriation would begin to increase.

Unattractive inside, the schools were most often built on sites unsuitable for farming or other activities, yet open to the hot summer sun and cold winter winds. The buildings were constructed to the same basic plan, measuring approximately 24 by 28 feet, with drafty windows, unpainted interior and weathered boards on the exterior.

Two doors at the front of the school provided entrances – one for boys, the other for girls. Just inside the doors was an entryway with pegs for hanging winter clothing. Toilet facilities were in a separate building – a two-hole privy out back.

“Teaching aids” were provided by the teacher’s imagination using whatever supplies were on hand. Furnishings were at a minimum. Desks of various heights accommodated different age groups seated on backless benches.

The teacher’s desk was placed at the front of the room, with two or three benches to the side for those participating in class discussions,while the remainder worked at their desks.

Small windows provided little lighting, and a wood-burning stove provided heat. However, those seated nearest the drafty walls shivered during the cold temperatures, while those nearest the heat source suffered the opposite. Frequently, the pail of drinking water placed in a corner froze over during winter.

Blackboards were rare until the 20th century, so children had their own small slate. Textbooks were scarce and dull. Subject matter consisted of the basic “three R’s” with the addition of history, geography and science if time permitted and the teacher was willing.

Teachers were poorly paid and often ill-educated themselves. Female teachers served the summer session, males during the winter. Female teachers rarely earned more than $6 per month, while the men were paid $7 to $12 monthly. However the teachers enjoyed additional benefits by staying with the various student families, who provided room and board for the school term.

Most teachers maintained strict discipline, believing the old adage, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.” Annual teacher evaluations were written by the superintendent and published in the Annual Report for all to read.

After 1901, when South Portland established its own consolidated school system, the 33 students formerly attending Willard and South Portland Heights schools needed to find another location. Pond Cove School District was the most convenient, but enrollment there was already at a high of 40 students, with no additional space. Expansion became necessary, and one-room schoolhouses were gradually phased out in favor of larger buildings.

The academic year 1913-1914 shows the new Pond Cove School with 82 students spanning Grades 1 through 9. Each room housed three grades. Ridgeway School closed in 1915, leaving Bowery Beach School with its five grades as the only district school still in operation in the town.

During the winter term of 1857-1858, William Widgery Thomas taught at the Spurwink School, located on Bowery Beach Road near Fowler Road. Thomas went on to do other things, but his fondness for the town and his first teaching experience brought him back to Cape Elizabeth. With the dream of a town library in mind, he purchased the former little red schoolhouse and had it renovated.

Completed in early 1919, the Thomas Memorial Library was accepted by the town at its March 3 meeting. The former Spurwink School building is now incorporated into the facility as its children’s library.

Bowery Beach School, near the intersection of Ocean House and Two Lights roads, was subsequently purchased and used by the Ladies Union. Since 1987, the former school has been the meetinghouse for the Cape Elizabeth Lions Club.

The superintendent’s report for the year 1857 mentions the 12 school districts spread over a territory 13 miles long, and from four to five miles wide. Ten schools required one teacher for each season, summer and winter, though the two schools with the greatest enrollment (Pond Cove and Ferry Village) required two teachers for each season.

Expenditures for the school year 1857-1858, including salaries, books and other supplies not provided by the parents or the district supervising committees, totaled $2,562.

Progress within the town and modern technology throughout the intervening years brings us to the 21st century, with a substantial population growth. The 2000 Town Report shows a combined school population of 1,743 in the elementary, middle and high schools, and an annual school budget of $14,395,301.

Boys and girls had separate entrances when the Spurwink and Bowery Beach schools were built. All 11 students Spurwink School students pose with their teacher and a dog, around 1914. The photo is from the personal collection of Norm Jordan, whose father, Norman Jordan Sr., is the blond boy in the front row on the left with his dog, Tippy. THIS PHOTO GOES WITH OTHER SCHOOL HOUSE PHOTO, CAPTION APPLIES FOR BOTHTranslation of handwritten note, an early teacher certification: This certifies that William W. Peabbles is qualified to instruct youth in those branches of education usually taught in Primary Schools, as the laws of the State require. Cape Elizabeth Dec. 15/57. J. M. Robinson, S.S. Committee of Cape Elizabeth.