1874

The first schools in Medford were established before 1762. Medford educated its children at the Friends' Schools at the expense of the Quakers.  All children were permitted the privilege of attending the Quaker Schools.

A law was passed in New Jersey in 1874. It stated that "Public schools should be established at the expense of the taxpayers." 

The Private school (located at 19 Branch St.) that was run by Milton H. Allen was taken over by school district trustees. Later the school was moved to the old Granger's Hall on Bank Street until the new school was complete.

1876

The Filbert St. School was dedicated on July 4, 1876 and opened the following September with Milton H. Allen as its principal.
Interesting Facts:

• The Filbert School had 3 rooms originally

• Six grades were taught at the school with 100 children in the lower grades and 75 children in the upper grades

•  Milton H. Allen was the principal and a teacher

• Students were taught math, spelling, reading, writing, grammar, history, geography, and philosophy

• Allen had to start all the pot bellied stoves before school started at 9 am

• Allen had an hour for lunch and the school day ended at 3 pm

• Discipline problems were punished by helping Mr. Allen with custodial work after school

(Information researched by Mrs. Molly Olandt, a former 4th grade teacher at Allen School.)
 

1889

A large upper room in the Filbert Street building was divided, and a two year high school course was added.

1907

A four-room addition was made to the school, and the high school course was extended to three years.
 

1913

The building was condemned by the state authorities and they demanded better facilities. After making some minor changes, the board was allowed to continue the use of the building, which they did until 1926. 
 

January 28, 1926

Charles McDermott, a building inspector, condemned the Filbert Street School under the premises that it did not meet requirements of the law. The high school was discontinued, and the students were transported to Mt. Holly.

1927

The Filbert Street School closed in December 1927. Principal Bess  Cowperthwait organized the move to the new building on the first school day in January. Each student carried their books in a stack as the teachers and children walked three blocks to the new Milton H. Allen School. 
March 1st , 1927 Ground broken for Allen School
 

September 1928
 

Milton H. Allen School, a K-8 school, opens with Elizabeth "Bess" Cowperthwaite as its first principal.
 

Interesting Facts:

• Land cost: $5000

• Construction Costs: $146,500

• Original school had 12 classrooms

• Auditorium sat 600 people

• Lunchroom sat 250 people

• 11 original staff members

• Their were about 30-40 students in a class

• The basement had a coal bin, a boy's rainy day playroom, a girl's rainy day playroom and lunchroom.

• The lunchroom served soup, sandwiches, and homemade pudding every day.

• Boys and girls had separate entrances, stairways, and playgrounds. The buses let the girls off near the front entrance then they drove to the side parking lot and let the boys off.