Iowa Heritage Digital Collections
State Library of Iowa

067_Brody Junior High School

Title

067_Brody Junior High School

Description

This is a page from the collection "Bicentennial Reflections: History of Des Moines Public Schools, 1876-1976" by Dr. Robert R. Denny, published by the Des Moines Public Schools in Des Moines, Iowa in 1976.

File Name

067_BrodyJuniorHighSchool.jpg

Transcription

65 Brody Junior High School (Photograph) Brody Jr. High School 2601 Park Ave. Brody Junior High was opened in September, 1966. The plans that were used were modifications of the Merrill junior high architect's drawings. Some minor modifications were made. The major additions that were made were the inclusion of air conditioning not in the original Merrill building. The site selected was 30 acres on the north side of 25th and Park. There is an unobstructed view over the Raccoon Valley to the city of Des Moines and is indeed a splendid site for a junior high school. Until the opening of the new Jefferson Elementary School, Brody junior high included various elementary grades involving several hundred students for a number of years. It became exclusively a junior high school in 1974. The school was named for Joseph I. Brody who was a prominent citizen of Des Moines. A brief description of Mr. Brody and his background follows: JOSEPH I. BRODY Graduate of East High School in Des Moines, Grinnell College, University of Chicago Law School, Honorary L.L.D. Degree, Grinnell College. Service to the Des Moines Community: Practiced law in Des Moines — 1915-63 Member — Des Moines School Board — 1955-63 President — Des Moines School Board — 1961-62 President — Congregation B'nai Jeshurun President — Jewish State Welfare Fund Member — State Executive Committee of the National Conference of Christians and Jews President — Polk County Bar Association Member — American Civil Liberties Union Lay Member — Rhodes Scholarship Committee Director — Iowa State Taxpayers Association Programs: Common Learnings 7th -Interdisciplinary teaching with large group, small group, and individualized instruction using unipac and mult-media. Outdoor science classroom Individualized math 7th, 8th, 9th Family living 7th grade Faculty advisory committee Teacher on-going staff devlopment in areas of human relations and multi-ethnic studies Brody Onstage - musical production Brody On Page - newspaper Co-ed home economics and industrial arts/PE Shared activities with Central City schools Student Council with emphasis on school/community service 9th grade Christmas production Title III Rent-a-Kid Career Guidance - Title III Career Interest Parent and student volunteers in classroom Student tutoring program Mini-courses - non-academic emphasis Police-School Liaison Program (Brody-Kurtz) During the 1970's the curriculum at Brody Junior High has undergone extensive evaluation by the faculty. As a result the program of studies has been consistently updated and although several of the units still bear the same name, the subject matter may be entirely different than it was in the 1960's, with major emphasis in the areas of human relations and student involvement. The use of outside activities as a means of broadening the educational experiences of Brody students has been increased in the last few years with rewarding results. Our continued emphasis in the curriculum will be on getting our students involved in real-life education. Principals: 1966 - 1970 Earl Bridge water 1970 - Lacey Spriggs