First Public School House

In the early stages of Wilkinsburg's development children were usually educated in private homes. Parents would hire a teacher and then invite other children to attend such classes. The first public school in Wilkinsburg was built in 1840 at Wallace and Center.

As the number of students increased, this building was abandoned and another built on Center Ave. in 1850. In 1875 the first building was torn down and school #3 was erected on the same sight. By 1880 the school population had so increased that the School Board rented the old Academy Building and by 1882 had built a 15-room, three story brick building on lots adjoining the Academy. It burned down in 1890. Another school was built in 1895 on what became the site of the Horner School.

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