Ruby Jones Hall

Ruby Jones Hall, located at 50 University Avenue in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is a historic institution with a rich legacy. Originally known as the Model School for West Chester Normal School and later as the Demonstration School for West Chester State College, Ruby Jones Hall served as an elementary school from 1899 until the 1980s. Named in honor of Ruby Johnson Jones, the first African-American faculty member at West Chester University, the building provided aspiring teachers with the opportunity to observe classrooms and practice teaching.

The Demonstration School offered a high-quality education with enrichment activities that set it apart from other elementary schools of its time. Students learned civics by establishing classroom communities, enacting laws, printing money, and electing government officials. Former students fondly remember their time at the school, where they were guided by master educators like Ruby Johnson Jones.

Today, Ruby Jones Hall continues to be a place of learning and growth, embodying the spirit of excellence and innovation that has characterized West Chester University throughout its history. With a strong foundation rooted in its past as an elementary school, Ruby Jones Hall remains a vibrant hub of education and community engagement for students, faculty, and staff alike.