In the early 1900's the children of Middle River attended Orems
School. When the two room school became overcrowded, property
was purchased from Joseph H. Jenkins for a new school. The new
four room school was named Middle River School and it opened in
1927. Miss Sara Pielert, who had been the principal of Orems School,
became the principal of Middle River School. Miss Pielert lived
in Bengies above the train station with her sister. Miss Pielert
rode the train to the Middle River stop each day and walked the
remaining distance to the school.
Miss Pielert, who was born July 11, 1866 and died December 20,
1939, was the principal until 1933. Mr. Lee Martin became the
second principal of Middle River School in 1933. When you walked
up the front steps to the school, you entered the "great
Hall." Special programs and plays were held in the "Great
Hall." Each day began with the Pledge of Allegiance to the
flag and a morning prayer.
In 1937, four more classrooms were added to the school. This
was supposed to be a "temporary" addition. However,
it became a permanent part of the school lasting to 1998, despite
some structural problems.
As the community grew, additional classrooms were needed. In
1947, four classrooms were added to both the east and west sides
of the front of the school facing Martin Boulevard. In 1950, the
name of the school was changed from Middle River School to Martin
Boulevard School.
In 1969, another addition was completed. This provided a classroom
for the first group of kindergarten children. This section of
the school also provided a new library, multi-purpose room (gymnasium
and auditorium), Health Room, office and storage. The office,
which had been located just inside the doorway of the Martin Boulevard
entrance, was moved to the new addition. The main entrance was
also moved to the new addition in the rear of the building. Despite
a posted sign, this often created confusion for people when they
visited the school.
By the 1980s, the building was showing its age. Despite efforts
to make improvements, it was becoming more difficult to accommodate
technology and the changing educational program. In September
of 1994, a formal request was presented to the school board for
a new school building for the Martin Boulevard community. With
the support of the community, Baltimore County Public Schools,
the Essex-Middle River Chamber of Commerce, Senator Michael Collins,
County Executive C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger, and Councilman
Vincent Gardina, funding was finally approved for a new school
building in the Spring of 1997. A Groundbreaking Ceremony for
the new building was held on October 22, 1997. The 1997-98 school
year was the last full school year for the original Middle River/Martin
Boulevard School. It was a building that truly served the community
of Middle River well for many years. It grew and changed as the
community grew and changed. Its tradition for excellence and commitment
to children will not be forgotten.
A beautiful state-of-the-art school building opened in March
1999 to serve the children of the Middle River community for years
to come.