Education in Chilmark, 1663- Present
During the earliest settling of Chilmark,
the school and church probably operated together, meeting in homes in the Quenames area. State records mention a school in that part of town in 1663. By 1841 the town had three school districts and enrolled 146 children, with four teachers.
The Northeast District covered the north shore and some of the Elizabeth Islands, which were part of Chilmark at the time. The Southeast District covered the southeast area and the other Elizabeth Islands, while the Western District covered the western side of Nomans Land. By 1889 the Western District was beginning to be called Menemsha School. In 1897 Chilmark joined the Union School Committee with Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Tisbury, and a superintendent was hired.
By 1920 the Northeast and Southeast Districts and the school at Nomans Land were closed. Only Menemsha School survived. Clustered with the town’s post office, library, town hall, community center, and fire station, it was an integral part of Chilmark’s life and history. Many Chilmark families can name successive generations that have attended the small community school. In 1945 a heated discussion ensued regarding closing the school. But citizenry wished to keep its education local, and the school remained open. The issue arose again in the 1970’s and in 1983, but each time Chilmark’s citizens maintained that educating locally would best secure the elements of a sound education for their young. Presently, Chilmark school is a member of the Up Island Regional School District, which also includes Aquinnah and West Tisbury.