Silas Willard Elementary School Home Page

The State of Illinois owes Galesburg Schools $3.8 million
The Governor proposes cuts to early childhood, special education,
reading improvement, transportation, and general state aid to schools
– OR – a 1% surcharge as an alternative to funding education.
(For details, see www.illinois.gov)
Weigh in with your thoughts to your state legislators:
Don Moffitt, State Representative
Dale Risinger, State Senator
309-343-8000
309-343-8176
email: moffitt@grics.net
email: senatorrisinger@yahoo.com
Website Website

We have a problem with our buildings....
The Findings

Watch the video at left to learn more

...But we also have a solution
The Plan

Positively Awesome Wildcats

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be There and Be Ready

Silas Willard School Mission Statement

Silas Willard School will provide students an equal opportunity to achieve higher levels of learning in a safe, caring environment, through the cooperative efforts of students, staff, parents and the community.

We believe that all students can learn.

Our mission is to develop concerned, responsible members of society who are life long learners and problem solvers with an appreciation and respect for the Earth, themselves and others.

Silas Willard Elementary School

495 East Fremont Street

Galesburg, Illinois 61401

Phone: 309-343-3917

Fax: 309-343-1712

Silas Willard is a

2009 Illinois Spotlight School!

Click the schoolhouse to learn more about this award!

Please go to the Staff link to see websites for individual teachers.

The Silas Willard School Story

Silas Willard School is located in the north central section of the city. It was named after Silas Willard, who was one of the founding fathers of Galesburg. It was largely through his influence, along with Mr. Colton, that the railroad was brought to Galesburg. When the citizens of the community failed to come up with enough money for the railroad, Mr. Colton and Silas Willard contributed the final $50,000 to accomplish that purpose. There is no record that that money was ever paid back.

Silas Willard lived on Losey Street at the north end of Chambers St. He died of TB at the age of 43. His will stated that he left $30,000 for the purpose of building a union grade school. The original school was constructed in 1912, with additions in 1927 and 1939.

Its most famous alumnus is President Ronald Reagan, who attended first grade here in 1917-18. His classroom was diagonally across from the office, in Mrs. Crumming's current second grade classroom

By Joyce Douglass, former Silas Principal

Silas Willard Elementary School

Helping Students Achieve Their Dreams