August 25, 2022
SCHOOLS OF RECORD IN GRAND ISLE, ME
Research of the Grand Isle/Lille school records stored in the Guidance Dept of the Van Buren School revealed
the following schools existed as far back as 1923. We found no records on file going back further than 1923.
Possibly, records prior to that time were lost or may be filed in the Dept of Education at State level. The
search continues.
We know the schools existed but we don’t yet know when each first came into existence nor do we know
when their use was discontinued and why. Maybe this information can be found in the town records. We also
know based on the children who attended each school that these were community schools, catering to
children residing within a few miles from their location and that each school taught all classes in one building.
The search continues.
School No 1 – located on the North end of town near the house of Jean Bouchard (presently owned by Robert
Dunbar); on record it is also called Brann School (possibly for former Governor Louis Jefferson Brann, Maine’s
56 th Governor, who lived July 6, 1876 – February 3, 1948).
School No. 2 – located in the center of Grand Isle, originally built in 1905 with one main front door. In 1938 a
second front door was added. This school building was built closer to the main road (US No. 1) This school
was completely torn down and rebuilt as brand new school in 1965. It was built much closer and parallel to
the railroad tracks. The school was originally named Lincoln School after the 16 th President. All lay teachers
until 1938 when the Nuns came. Father Albert Charette, the first Pastor, invited the Sisters Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary (the Good Shepherd Sisters) (Les Soeurs du Bon Pasteur) from Quebec to teach in
the school.
School No. 3 – built in the vicinity on the river side of the road from the former Paul E. Dionne residence (more
recently John F. Dionne). Also referred to as Washington School.
School No. 4 - Adjacent to the Lille Church, known as the Notre Dame School Taught by Daughters of
Wisdom. When did the nuns come and left?
School No. 6 – located in Doucette Settlement corner of Doucette Road and what is now Mizpah road. Back in
the day, this was a town road connecting US No. 1 to Lavertu Settlement.
**There was a school house in the vicinity of Desjardins and Gendreau Road located on Madawaska land;
past Fred Lavoie’s house (Mack Lavoie’s Parents) but closer to Gendreau Road.
School No. 7 - located somewhere on Grivois Road (concessions des Grivois) Exact location unknown.
School No. 8 - located somewhere on the Grand Isle side on the Parent road. (concessions des Parent)
NOTE: important to note that we found no reference to School No. 5. Maybe this one existed prior to our
records, of 1923.
The determination of general location of each school except Lincoln and Notre Dame, is based on the
knowledge of the names of the kids and the general location of where they all lived.
Anyone who may have information or pictures on this subject, please contact me at 895-6949.
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