Oakland Through The Ages: 100 Years of Excellence
Oakland Elementary School opened in 1924 on 4 acres of a former corn field purchased for $20,000. It was initially part of the Madison School District. According to records, the original building had four classrooms and a library and was designed to resemble the Toonerville Trolley.
Enrollment grew rapidly over the next few years, and more classrooms were added. Moving ahead, Oakland Elementary underwent extensive renovations and additions starting in the spring of 2020. The multi-year renovations modernized instructional technology and infrastructure while adding new spaces to support students and staff better. Since the first addition in 1928, the school has continued to grow, and it now teaches 258 students up to grade five.
100 Years of Excellence
This year, we celebrated a momentous occasion as Oakland Elementary School marked its 100th anniversary. For a century, Oakland Elementary has been a cornerstone of our community, shaping the lives of thousands of students and families. The celebration, titled “Oakland Through The Ages—100 Years of Excellence,” honored the school’s rich legacy while looking ahead to the future.
At the 100th anniversary celebration, the Royal Oak High School jazz band performed alongside former Oakland students and was led by former Oakland teacher Dave Jensen. Historical displays guided guests through the decades of Oakland's history from the 1920s to the present; photo booths added a fun element for all who attended. A candy bar featuring treats from different eras allowed guests to fill bags with sweets from the past. Students created interactive art with wings for students and attendees to stand in front of and soar. Current students decorated their lockers with drawings, well-wishes, and thoughts on what school would be like in 100 more years. They also filled a time capsule with items from 2024 to be opened 50 years from now.
The City of Royal Oak presented a proclamation in honor of the occasion, and the Historical Society of Michigan awarded Superintendent Fitzpatrick a milestone recognizing Oakland’s 100 years of excellence. The anniversary reflects our district’s dedication to providing high-quality education for all students. With a century of excellence behind us, we are excited to continue building a bright future for future generations.