“Beavers” might sound cute, but it’s the powerful mascot of what once was Jamaica High School. Today, we know this location as the Jamaica Educational Campus. This campus has a rich history. It has evolved from a single high school to a collaborative educational hub.
Jamaica High School first opened its doors in 1854 as the Union Free School. It was a small wooden building. This original school was on what we know today as 161st Street. In 1892, it officially became Jamaica High School.
By 1897, the school had grown. It moved to a new, larger campus on Hillside Avenue. The building was designed in the Dutch Revival style. This was a nod to New York’s Dutch colonial roots. The architect was William Tubby from Brooklyn. The design featured red and tan brick. It included decorative elements like splayed lintels and a stepped gable. A bell tower stood proudly.
As Jamaica’s population boomed, Jamaica High School became overcrowded. Annexes were added in the 1920s to accommodate the growing student body.
In 1929, Jamaica High School made its final move to this location in Jamaica Hills. The address is 167th Street and Gothic Drive. This new campus was vast. It covered 13 acres. The location was chosen after much debate. The Clark estate was selected in 1925. William H. Gompert designed the building in the Georgian Revival style. Some called it colonial.
The new building was huge. It could hold over 3300 students. It featured an auditorium, a swimming pool and two gyms. There were science labs, computer labs and a library. The auditorium even had an Estey organ installed in 1931.
The building’s layout was designed to maximize light and air. The facade was red brick with stone and terracotta trim. Ionic columns grace the entrance. Above them is a triangular pediment with a clock.
Athletic facilities were important. The campus included a large multi-purpose field. Students could play football, baseball, softball, and other sports. A running track surrounded the field.
Walkways led from the school to Gothic Drive. In 1948, a World War II memorial was erected. It honored Jamaica High School alumni who served.
Jamaica High School was known for academic excellence. It had a diverse student body. In 1985, the U.S. Department of Education recognized it as one of the best secondary schools.
Sadly, the school faced challenges. Crime increased. Academic performance declined. In 2014, Jamaica High School closed.
But the story doesn’t end there. The campus is now the Jamaica Educational Campus. It houses four smaller high schools. These schools share the facilities. They also share sports teams.
Today, the Jamaica Educational Campus is home to Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences. There is also Queens Collegiate. Hillside Arts and Letters Academy is here. And the High School for Community Leadership.
The campus continues to educate. It offers programs in math, science, the arts and community involvement. The legacy of Jamaica High School lives on. The campus prepares new generations for the future. The beaver mascot still symbolizes hard work and dedication.