THE SCHOOL BUILDING

The first classes of the Boston Latin School were held in the homes of the Masters. About 1645 the first schoolhouse, as such, was erected on the north side of School Street,* on the rear of the site now occupied by King's Chapel. Very little is known about the building, but from colonial records it is believed to have been of two stories, The schoolmaster had his home in the same building until 1702, when a separate house was built for Head Master Cheever,

In 1704, the schoolhouse was rebuilt. It stood at about the present location of the statue of Benjamin Franklin (in Boston). This building was used until 1748 when, due to an addition to King's Chapel, it had to be removed. A new schoolhouse was built on the south side of School Street, about where the end of the Parker House now stands. This building was repaired in 1785, and during the repairs Head Master Hunt taught the School in Faneuil Hall.

In 1812, a new building of three stories was constructed on the site of its predecessor. Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was in the School at that time, tells us that during the rebuilding period, school was held in a barn near Haymarket Square, and afterwards in Scollay's building on Pemberton Hill,

Due to the rapid expansion of the city it was necessary to tear down the schoolhouse in 1844 to make room for the Horticultural House. At this time the School left the street to which it had given the name of "School Street," its home for two hundred years. The new schoolhouse was erected on Bedford Street, now the extension of Harrison Avenue. The School occupied one half of this building, and the English High School the other half. In 1880, growing numbers necessitated a new building, and accordingly, in 1881, the School was removed to Warren Avenue. English High School was still a neighbor, occupying the Montgomery Street side of the double building. This combined building was spoken of as "the largest structure in America devoted to educational purposes, and the largest in the world used as a free school."
*Originally "the street going up to elder James Penn's"; later the street was "South-Latin-Grammar- School Street," shortened into "School Street." A tablet marking the site is located on the fence in front of old City Hall.

The "New" Building.

After World War I the school building was too small to accommodate the growth of both schools. In 1920, a new building was started on Avenue Louis Pasteur in the Fenway, and the Latin School students entered it in the fall of 1922, leaving English High School in possession of the old building.

The new building proved inadequate for the School the very first year, and six extra classrooms were added at once. Even this addition proved insufficient, and for seven years the lower classes had to be housed in several annexes. In 1932-1933 the building was extended to about double its original size, and in the fall of 1933 the entire School was organized under one roof.

During the 1988-89 school year, the existing building underwent a complete renovation. Improvements included major work on the auditorium and cafeteria, as well as an extension that added a new gymnasium and ancillary athletic facilities. In addition, new computer and science labs were established.
From 1999 to 2002 the building was once again renovated and upgraded to the latest in technology. A new library was built within the space once occupied by the cafeteria. A new building with art and music rooms as well as a new dining hall was constructed.