History

Grace Jordan Elementary School History

Grace Jordan Elementary School was officially dedicated on Friday, October 10, 2008. A formal ceremony was held at the site of the school, 6411 W. Fairfield Avenue, Boise, to commemorate the dedication.

The construction of Grace Jordan Elementary School was made possible by the overwhelming support of voters who approved a $94 million bond to consolidate, renovate, and rebuild several schools. This successful bond enabled the construction of several schools, including Grace Jordan Elementary School. In March 2006, voters passed the bond with 70.45% of the yes vote.

During the dedication ceremony, then-Boise School Board Trustee Bea Black shared some highlights about Grace Jordan’s remarkable life. “Grace Jordan left an indelible mark on Idaho,” said Trustee Black. “She taught English, journalism, and fiction writing at four western universities, including Boise Junior College. She was a lifelong freelance journalist, created poetry, and wrote Home Below Hells Canyon, her first book, which was translated into six languages. She is credited with introducing people throughout the nation and, indeed, the world, to the many facets of our beloved state.”

Home Below Hells Canyon chronicles the lives of the Jordan family residing on the Snake River Ranch during the early 1940s. In addition to this work, Grace Jordan authored Canyon Boy, The King’s Pines of Idaho, Country Editor, and The Unintentional Senator. With the exception of The Unintentional Senator, her literary works are set in Idaho.

Born in Wasco, Oregon, on April 16, 1892, Jordan was the daughter of a country doctor and a schoolteacher. She graduated from the University of Oregon with honors in English, earning a Phi Beta Kappa Key.

Following her college education, Jordan embarked on a freelance career in various northwest newspapers. She served as the society editor for the Eugene Morning Register and as a correspondent for the Lewiston Tribune. On December 30, 1924, she married Leonard B. Jordan, and they relocated to a ranch at Kirkwood Bar on the Idaho side of the Snake River in 1933, where they raised their three children.

Grace Jordan, a prominent figure in Idaho’s political history, served in the Idaho State Senate and the U.S. Senate before becoming the Governor of Idaho in 1950. Her tenure as Idaho’s First Lady from 1950 to 1954 was marked by distinction and left an enduring legacy.

Upon her passing on September 17, 1985, in Boise, Grace Jordan’s daughter aptly captured her essence when she remarked, “She instilled in us and those around her the unwavering belief in seeking the best in every individual they encounter. Her aspiration was for everyone to live a life that illuminates the world around them, inspiring others to do the same.”

The Boise School District has recognized the fittingness of naming its new school after Grace Jordan.

“The Boise School District shares a profound connection with Grace Jordan,” expressed Dr. Don Coberly, then Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the district. “Her unwavering commitment to education resonates deeply within our own institution. We share her passion for providing the highest quality public education to every child.”

Dr. Coberly extended sincere gratitude to the voters who contributed the necessary financial resources to facilitate the construction of the new school. Grace Jordan Elementary School, which commenced operations during the 2008-09 school year, currently accommodates 400 students.

Here are additional details about Grace Jordan Elementary School:

Size: 58,825 square feet, encompassing 2,100 square feet dedicated to the Boise School District’s Just for Kids child care program and 4,000 square feet reserved for a Community Center operated by the Boise City Parks and Recreation Department.