Marie Murphy Junior High School

In 1999, Avoca Junior High School underwent a transformation. It was renamed Marie Murphy School. This honored a remarkable woman who dedicated 36 years of her life to the Avoca School District. Marie Murphy, who started as a teacher in 1932 and later became Superintendent, left an indelible mark on the school. Marie Murphy School, as we know it today, is not the original building. The current structure was built in 1992. It replaced the older building, which began as a modest two-room brick structure in 1923. Imagine the small classes in those early years. In 1932, Marie Murphy taught a combined class of only 45 students in grades 1 through 8. Can you picture just two students graduating that year? The school expanded in 1930 with a two-room addition. Further expansions followed in the 1950s and 1960s as the district grew after World War II. The 1992 rebuild not only modernized the facilities but also added a dedicated technology wing. This wing now houses computer labs, a creative technology lab, a library, and administrative offices. Marie Murphy herself retired in 1968. She lived to see the school renamed in her honor. She passed away in 1999 at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy of education and community service. The Avoca School District, the governing body of Marie Murphy School, has a unique history. It is the only common element shared by residents of Wilmette, Northfield, Glenview, and parts of Winnetka. The district’s name, “Avoca,” has Gaelic origins. It translates to “fountain of knowledge” and refers to a confluence of rivers in Ireland. The name serves as a fitting symbol for the district’s commitment to learning and growth.