John Jasper and Sarah Anderson

PS 9 has been around long enough to have many names attached to it. They serve to remind us of a legacy of 170 years of dedication and commitment to public education of children on the Upper West Side. Herein is a brief history:

The history of PS 9 dates back to the early 1800's when it was an Episcopal Church School. On May 22nd, 1826 it was incorporated into The Public School Society and three years later, a plot of ground was purchased for $250.00 on 82nd Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.

The following year a 1-story clapboard school was erected for $1,500.00 and occupied by approximately 50 children. In 1890, this building was demolished and three years later a new PS 9 was erected on the same site which was equipped with electricity and a ventilation system.

On March 12, 1965 at a cost of 2,400,000.00, the current PS 9 building at West 84th Street was opened to 800 children from Pre-Kindergarten to 5th grade. It was named in honor of John Jasper, who came to PS 9 as a teacher in 1857 and served as its principal from 1867 until 1897, when he became Assistant Superintendent of Schools and then Borough Associate Superintendent of Schools for Manhattan and the Bronx in 1898.

Sarah Anderson was a dedicated and well-loved paraprofessional at PS 9 who shared her care and talents throughout the school district. Ms. Anderson was founder of the District Parent Association Executive Committee, the first President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, chairwoman of the District Title I Committee, UFT Chapter Chairperson and paraprofessional delegate to the UFT. PS 9 was named the Sarah Anderson School in her honor in March of 1981.