History

 

Bradwell School of Excellence is named in honor of Myra Bradwell (1831-1894). Bradwell was a publisher and political activist and attempted to become the first woman to be admitted to the Illinois bar, but was barred by the Illinois Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. The Illinois Supreme Court finally granted her a law license in Illinois in 1890.

 

Bradwell School of Excellence opened in 1889 and originally contained 8 classrooms. An addition, which is now the northern part of the school, was built in 1895, and contained 10 classrooms.

 

A 3-story addition was built in 1927 containing 19 classrooms and an auditorium. A matching addition of 12 classrooms added in 1937 that replaced the original 1889 wing.

 

Additional land was acquired west of the school in 1970 for the construction of a playground addition and a much needed gym and lunchroom, which were added in 1978 to alleviate severe overcrowding at the school.

 

Bradwell was renovated in 2010, contains 40 classrooms, and serves 730 students.