Saturday, January 2, 2021

History of Alpha Johnstone School in San Antonio, Texas explored and explained.

Alpha Johnstone School is one of the many forgotten schools of San Antonio and Bexar County. Not much history about this school has been very well preserved online or offline. This news article will explain and explore the history behind this school. Alpha Johnstone School was also known as Mrs. Alpha Johnstone’s School of Individual Instruction.

A lady named Mrs. Alpha Johnstone opened a private school called Alpha Johnstone School sometime around 1902 at the address of 126 River Avenue (now 126 Riverwalk). She owned and ran this private school she operated herself with the help from a small handful of teachers and faculty. Mrs. Alpha Johnstone was the head teacher. (Ref: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth441148/hits/?q=%22ALPHA%20JOHNSTONE%22)

Her school offered individual instruction at the high school grade level as her focus was primarily geared towards educating high school grade students. Individual instruction at the high school level for each student was a huge priority. Her main focus was on individual instruction for each student that could not be given in public schools or private schools. That way each student could receive individual attention. That is why Mrs. Alpha Johnstone named her school Mrs. Alpha Johnstone’s School of Individual Instruction. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/39250916/)

Civil service subjects were taught by Mrs. Alpha Johnstone at this school among many subjects taught and offered. Summer sessions were held during the day usually during the month of June. These civil service subjects offered individual instruction at the high school level. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/39260802/)

Mrs. Alpha Johnstone her private school called Mrs. Alpha Johnstone’s School of Individual Instruction to the address of 105 Howard Street in 1912. Coaching was offered in the afternoons and evenings along with private instruction.


 

Mrs. Alpha Johnstone began having a specialty for mathematics at reasonable rates starting in 1924. Her school was known for its reasonable rates by then. Her focus was primarily geared towards educating high school grade students. Individual instruction was still a priority and goal of hers. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-jun-02-1924-p-13/)

The school even operated during the Great Depression of the 1930s despite tight finances. Mrs. Alpha Johnstone would close her school somewhere around 1942. Exactly why is not known. Today the Alpha Johnstone School building now houses a law firm called Graves Law Firm.

Alpha Johnstone School was located at 105 Howard Street, San Antonio, Texas, US 78212. 

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