POTTER VALLEY COMMUNITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
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History of Potter Valley Schools

Senator Peter Behr's desk serves as an SB305 organizational center for Pat Brown, Mary Jo Hunter, Dan McAsey, Gary Sack, and Joe Trautwein.
 ​Potter Valley has had its own schools since 1860. A Union School District was formed in 1866 and until 1919 covered three schools in the Valley: at Centerville (Main Street),  Pomo (on East Road) and Lower Potter. The three schools were necessary because before modern roads were established, the slippery, wet soil and steep grades made getting from one end of the valley to the other a challenging trip, especially in winter. And while ten miles is an easy distance in an automobile, it was an all day trip on foot or horseback.

In 1918, the Ukiah High School District established Potter Valley High School, joining Ukiah High to give that district two schools. The building that is now the Potter Valley Youth & Community Center was completed in 1921 and originally housed both the consolidated elementary school and the high school. The current elementary school was built in 1954, to meet the newest (at the time!) California state earthquake standards for school buildings.

In 1928, Potter Valley acquired the first yellow school buses in Mendocino County, replacing two trucks with benches and canopy tops that had been owned and driven by community members.  

In 1965, the elementary school and the high school became part of the new Ukiah Unified School District. This was a controversial time, since there was concern that the new district would close the high school - and they did, in 1969. Some community parents banded together and created a private high school, called Potter Valley Community High School, which began in 1970 with 27 students. The school was funded with a patchwork of grants, donations, volunteer effort and a bit of tuition, and it succeeded through sheer community grit and determination. Enrollment was up to 80 in 1977. The community and the students lobbied the State Board of Education ceaselessly to reinstate their public school, including making several trips to Sacramento. Their efforts were successful, and the Potter Valley Community Unified School District was reformed, consisting of the elementary school and the high school.

Potter Valley Elementary was named a distinguished school for the 1993-1994 school year and the 2005-2006 school year. Schools that win Distinguished School status may not compete again for three years. (The program is currently discontinued.)

(Historical Data from "From Acorns to Oaks," by Delight Corbett Shelton, which contains a more extensive account.)

SB305 article describing the effort to create the district.
Editorial discussing SB305
PVCHS Spring Notes 1975

Memories of Festivals Past - the history of the Potter Valley Rodeo

Memories of Festivals Past
How the rodeo was used to help fund the Potter Valley schools.
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  • Home
    • News
    • PVCUSD History
    • 2022-2023 District Calendar
  • District Office
    • District Staff
    • District Documents
    • SARC (School Data)
    • Bond Measure Information
    • Personnel
    • District Drivers
    • Homeless & Foster Youth
    • Mendocino Office of Education
  • School Board
    • Board Meetings
    • Board Communication
  • Elementary
    • Elementary Office
    • Programs & Events >
      • Grandparents' Day
      • 3-6 Grade Science Fair
      • ELD
      • Outdoor Education
      • 6th Grade Science Camp
    • Schedules
    • Staff List >
      • Pre-School
      • Kindergarten
      • First Grade
      • Second Grade
      • Third Grade
      • Fourth Grade
      • Fifth Grade
      • Sixth Grade
      • Art
      • SPED
  • Junior High & High School
    • CONTACT US
    • BearCat News - Monthly Newsletter
    • Bearcat Noticias Informativo
    • Senior / Junior High School
    • Front Office
    • Student Handbook
    • Bell Schedule
    • Academics
    • JR/SR. High Staff List >
      • Art: Ms. Rossi
      • Science: Ms. Pauli
      • PE: Mr. Betts
      • Social Studies: Mr. Silva
      • Math: Mr. Hawks
      • Math: Mr. Wallaert
      • English: Ms. Liggett
      • Ag: Ms. Delbar
      • Resource Teacher: Ms. Mason
      • Leadership
      • Cyber High
    • STAFF Weekly Bulletin
    • Programs & Events >
      • Yosemite Trip
      • Career Pathways
      • FFA
      • STEM Academy
      • ELD
      • Outdoor Education
    • Counselor Corner >
      • Mendocino College
      • Pickle Scholarship
    • Senior Projects
  • Parent Portal
    • Aeries Grades
    • Youth and Community Center
    • Cafeteria
  • Athletics
    • Athletics
    • Athletic Contact Info
    • Maxpreps
  • SCHOOL MENU