Pulaski Elementary Virtual Tour

Pulaski Elementary's History....In 1956, there were approximately 100 county schools scattered throughout Pulaski County, KY. By August 1964, just 8 years later, the total number of county schools was reduced to a total of 18.  (Do the math – that’s 82 less schools!) Pulaski County had undergone a rapid population growth and a major public school consolidation program. That was also the year that Pulaski Elementary School(PES) opened its doors.

With the newly opened school(PES), approximately 700 students would be adsorbed from 15 closed “one room schools.” (See History) Pulaski Elementary did not take the place of one specific “one-room school” – but because it was more centrally located, easier to maintain than 15 smaller schools,  and funding would ensure greater student benefit, it made since to the school board, under the direction of Superintendent Charles Hall, to consolidate.

    All of the old “one room schools” were then auctioned off, as an article in The Commonwealth Journal, July 15, 1964, stated, “the Pulaski County Board of Education has 17 schools to sell.”

The basic PES building structure has not changed much, with the exception of 3 renovations that took place in 1977, 1988, and 2001.  1977 added 4 new classrooms and a library, 1988 added a gymnasium, and 2001 saw a total renovation, adding 2 classrooms, an updated office/foyer, and a more modern media center.

Students from the following 15 schools were part of the 1964 PES consolidation: Cabin Hollow, Caney Fork, Cundiff, Garner, McKinney, Oak Hill, Pisgah, Ringgold, Rush Branch, Saline, Shafter, Short Creek, Slate Branch, Strawberry, and Vaught.

Today, 40 years later, PES is still a thriving elementary school with approximately 710 eager students, over 100 dedicated staff members, and one of the most modern facilities in the region with the central goal being student achievement. For more information, visit us in person at 107 W. University Dr, Somerset, KY.