Pyrtle Elementary was named after Emma Ruth Pyrtle (1871-1947). Miss Pyrtle was born in Charleston, West Virginia. She attended elementary school in Lexington, Nebraska, and was a member of the first organized graduation class of Lexington High School in 1891. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with an A.B. degree in 1904 and a Master’s degree in 1907.
Miss Pyrtle began a 42-year career with Lincoln Public Schools in 1898, retiring in 1940. She was the principal of Bancroft School and McKinley Elementary School.
She was credited as a national pioneer for the improvement of elementary principal leadership and contributor to education journals. She lectured at teachers’ institutes in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.
Our doors opened to students in January of 1964. We have been educating students for over 50 years. Our friendly neighborhood school, located in the Wedgewood Lake area in east Lincoln, currently serves over 400 students in kindergarten through grade five.
Pyrtle Elementary School is committed to educational excellence for all students. The mission at Pyrtle Elementary School is “Pyrtle’s community inspires and empowers learners for the future.”
Pyrtle is located at 721 Cottonwood Drive, Lincoln Nebraska, 68510. Our Phone number is (402) 436-1162. Our fax number is (402) 458-3262. The school hours are 9:00-3:38, and breakfast is 8:30-8:45.
Pyrtle Elementary School was named a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Pyrtle joins 367 schools across the nation being recognized based on a school’s overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. You can view our Blue Ribbon School Celebration below!
