A HISTORY OF HOFFMAN SCHOOL

Established in 1861, Hoffman School has had a long history of serving the community. The first two structures of what now is called Hoffman School served the community under two other names, the Woodburn School and The Nineteenth District School.

The Woodburn School was built in the original township called the Village of Woodburn. The building was a two-story one and had only two rooms. One room was above the other with a small frame annex to the north for the teacher of German. The principal had the upper room and taught the upper grades.

In 1871, a new building was erected in front of the two-room structure. The new building contained an auditorium on the second floor where the public meetings were held. there were two rooms on the first. These two rooms were the classrooms.

In 1873, the village became part of the city. Joseph H. Hoffman became the principal around 1876. During this time, this part of the city grew rapidly and the auditorium was converted into classrooms. A few years later, the original two rooms were razed and eight rooms were built on their site.

In 1885, a second school was built called the Nineteenth District School. It had three floors and eighteen rooms, but no auditorium. The school was lighted by gas jets.

The beautiful gothic structure, as we know it today, was completed and occupied on April 1, 1922. It was named Hoffman School in memory of Joseph H. Hoffman who left his library to the school.

We are proud of Hoffman's rich and vibrant history. Hoffman School has addressed the educational needs of its community for over a century. Even today, it remains a neighborhood school responding to an ever-changing vibrant community.

In 1988, Hoffman School was awarded the National Award for Excellence in Education from the United States Department of Education. In 1989, Hoffman received the James N. Jacobs
Award as a Merit School of Excellence from Cincinnati Public Schools. Then in 1992, Hoffman was chosen as a Recognized School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education and given a second Blue Ribbon Schools Award for Excellence in Education the only school in the City of Cincinnati to receive this prestigious National Award twice!

The concerted efforts of Hoffman students, parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders, business leaders and friends will help us build upon its rich history of the past and develop an even stronger legacy of achievement and growth in the future.

The spirit and hope of Hoffman presides in her students today - as we sing in our school song, "Hoffman - We've just begun!"