Muller School, Then and Now
Muller School was founded by the Moravian Missionaries in 1840 for the primary purpose of educating children of the slaves. It was housed in the basement of the Nisky Moravian Church and the Moravians were solely responsible for its support and for the educational programs of the school until 1918.
After the transfer of the islands from Denmark to the U.S.A., Nisky became a public school. The increase in enrollment over the years forced the Department of Education to seek a larger building.
In 1953, Mrs. Ulla F. Muller became principal-teacher. With the rapid growth in enrollment and the need for major repairs, it became necessary to again relocate the school. The new, seven room, school called New Nisky was constructed in the Former Naval Cemetery in Contant.
New Nisky was expanded in 1963 when Peace Corps volunteers, who were being trained in building skills, erected a three room building similar to those they would be building build in Africa.
In the mid 60's New York University officials selected Nisky to be a "demonstration school" and the name was changed to Nisky Demonstration School. Several coordinators were appointed to train the teachers drawn from many St. Thomas schools. An abundance of materials, supplies, and resources were made available to teachers and students.
Because of the popularity of this program and the number of parents who wished to enroll their student in Nisky Demonstration School, the physical plant had to be expanded.
In a way, the demonstration project was too successful. The huge enrollment (at one time over 800 ) and the constant need for physical expansion made it impossible to continue the project and in 1969 our school ceased its affiliation with NYU.
The increase of buildings on the site was accompanied by a great reduction of play ground area. This problem was overcome in the 1970's when the land adjacent to the school, with its two small buildings, was purchased by the government. The renovation of these buildings provided the school with space for music, art, and special education and physical education rooms. The early 70's also brought an expansion of programs at the school, including the Academically Talented and band programs.
In 1979, in honor of Mrs. Muller's contribution to education in the Virgin Islands and in recognition of the 27 years she spent as principal (and principal-teacher), the school was renamed the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School. Ms. Muller's successors as head of the school include Mr. Carver Farrow, Ms. Diane George, Ms. Ivy Williams, and our current principal, Ms. Ophelia Shillingford who is assisted by Ms. Carla Sarauw.
Muller School Today
Enrollment stands at approximately
425 students while the faculty/staff number is approximately 59.
The school now boasts a well
equipped computer lab; a math and science lab, and a well
stocked library. One of our newest programs is the Cluster program
where students participate in activities or investigations of their choice
on alternate Friday afternoons. Cluster students over the last
3 years have been responsible for creating the Muller School Web Page.
Our school been wired to support a Local Network (LAN) and to link directly
to the Department of Education's network, known as the ETAN.
Click the Schoolhouse
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