James Lick Middle School commemorates 86th anniversary

85-tile mosaic at James Lick Middle School

It’s been more than 80 years since James Lick Middle School first opened its doors as a public school in San Francisco’s Noe Valley neighborhood, and now a tile representing each of those years is on full display at the school.

Students, alumni, families, staff and community members celebrated the unveiling of the 85-tile installation on April 27, for the school’s 86th anniversary. The tiles represent each year the school has been open and a local or world event that happened in that year between 1932 and 2018.

The celebration titled, "Nuestra Comunidad, Nuestra Escuela: Celebrating Over 86 Years of Diversity at JLMS" included a talent showcase of current students, staff and alumni as well as a school gym dedication naming ceremony in honor of Ray Ponce, a long-time teacher and coach. District 8 Supervisor Rafael Mandelman presented Ponce with a certificate of honor for his contribution to the school community.

Attendees had the opportunity to tour the “Alumni Center” complete with memorabilia, an archive, and old yearbooks for seasoned alumni to visit.

View photos of the celebration below!


Alfonso Duenas, Assistant Principal at 
Thurgood Marshall Academic High School, 
posing at the Alumni Center photo booth

Ray Ponce poses with his family and holds the banner 
that will hang in the newly named Ray Ponce Gymnasium

Supervisor Mandelman presenting a Certificate of Honor 
to Ray Ponce, as students paint a "Legacy" mural in the 
background


Alumni in the auditorium, after a tour of the school



Hollie Mack, Assistant Principal at Abraham 

Lincoln High School, playing drums donated 
by alumni, Carlos Santana



Memorabilia in the Alumni Center, where 

we received the donation of a basketball 
jersey from a gentleman from the Class of 1959


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