James Malcolm Holding, Broward’s first Superintendent, 1915 Image courtesy of the Broward County Historical Commission

On October 15th, the Broward County Public School District will celebrate its 90th year educating the children of Broward County. In 1915, Broward County was established by combining the southern part of Palm Beach County and the northern part of Dade County. With the new county came the Broward County School System, established on October 15, 1915. The first Broward County Board of Public Instruction, composed of Superintendent J. M. Holding, three Board members and elected trustees of each school, guided the county’s schools.

Broward County school bus, 1918 Image courtesy of Old Davie School Archives, Anna Hammer Collection

The history of schools in Broward actually goes back even further than the “official date” we will all celebrate. On October 2, 1899, the first two public schools, in what would later become Broward County, opened their doors. Ivy Cromartie, who later married and became Ivy Stranahan, was Fort Lauderdale’s first teacher. She welcomed nine students into a wood-framed schoolhouse located on South Andrews Avenue, south of the New River. Pompano’s first teacher was Mary Butler, who also greeted nine students. Each teacher earned $40 per month. Since students needed to work in the farm fields, the school term was only four to six months long.

In 1899, Dade County included all of the land from St. Lucie Inlet south to the upper Keys, so the early schools were part of the Dade County Public School System.

Fort Lauderdale High School, also called Central High School, 1915 Image courtesy o f the Broward County Historical Commission

The formation of Broward County was still six years away when Palm Beach County was established in 1909. Schools in Pompano and Deerfield left the control of Dade County and were part of the newly formed Palm Beach County School System until the Broward County Board of Public Instruction was formed on October 15, 1915.

To learn more about the history of Broward County Public Schools, view historical photos and learn about plans being made to celebrate our 90th anniversary, be sure to visit the District’s Web site(www.browardschools.com).