Fort Davis ES History
Opened: 1963
Closed: 1999
Fort Davis Elementary School was located approximately five miles from the terminal cities of Colon and Cristobal, on the Fort Davis army base. The school was located on Ft. Davis which was the oldest US military installation in the Canal Area. The concrete school building was a single-story air-conditioned modern structure. During 1988-89 school year, two relocatable classrooms were added, and the school was completely carpeted.
In 1979, the student enrollment was 352 students in kindergarten–6th grade. By 1990, the enrollment had decreased to 152 students. Until 1982, a single principal administered Fort Davis and Fort Gulick schools.
In 1981-82, approximately 300 students in grades kindergarten through six attended the school. The principal was Charles Miller. There were three kindergarten sessions, three first grades, two classes each for second through fourth, and one each fifth and sixth grade class. The school used the parttime services of psychometrists, a speech therapist, an English as Second Language instructor, a resource teacher, and a media specialist. Full time specialists included music, physical education, and host nation. There was also a shared nurse.
The enrollment remained at 270 students for the remaining years of the school.
Source: Schooling in the Panama Canal Zone 1904-1976, DoDDS Panama 1979-1989 and DoDDS School Information Guides