Greenman Elementary School
729 W. Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL. 60506
Office: 301-5004 Fax: 844-4618
Attendance: 301-5175
School Hours: 8:10am - 2:10pm

Greenman’s history begins at he ending of the nineteenth century when in 1890, Arthur V. Greenman was asked to be superintendent of the West Side Schools. Under his leadership the district grew from eighteen teachers to forty teachers. Several buildings were constructed under his leadership including Lincoln School, Hill (which was then called Pennsylvania), a second Oak Street School (the first one burned down), the first West High School (which is the former Aurora Christian School building on Blackhawk) and the Galena Street School, which was later named Greenman Elementary.

According to the Educational History of Illinois, “He was a progressive, earnest educator, who gave much attention to his community and to every organization with which he was connected. He introduced the study of nature into the elementary grades. He was interested in the youngest and oldest.” In 1909, the Aurora Newspaper (now called the Beacon News) wrote, “He had brought the Aurora schools to a high grade of proficiency and his work was thoroughly organized.” It was also written, “Professor Greenman was very public spirited and was always to the front in promoting the city’s interests.” Upon his death in 1909, the headline in the Aurora paper said that the “whole city mourns him.”

Six years later in 1915, the Galena Street School was renamed Greenman Elementary School in honor of A. V. Greenman. The Galena Street School originally was built in 1895, according to historical documents, with only two classrooms and two basement rooms. Additions were added in 1916, 1928 and 1950. In the summer of 2004, the original Greenman School structure was brought down to make room for the new Greenman Elementary School which opened its doors in August, 2004. The new larger Greenman Elementary School has won three international design awards and continues to serve the needs of the close community families as it remains a walking school.