The Wesleyville School goes back to 1919, when the building was constructed on 2-1/2 acres on Willow Street. It opened in 1921 with eight rooms housing eight grades. The first principal was Victor Snapp. He was assisted by Mazie Green, who used her own car to transport football players to games. Students wishing to go to ninth grade, attended either Academy or the old Central School in Erie.
An addition was attached to the main building that permitted grades 9-12 to be added in 1925. Basketball, football and baseball were the sports played by the “Bulldogs.” Girls basketball was played until 1939.
The first graduation from Wesleyville occurred in 1927. Ten students received their diplomas which were conferred by the Erie County School District.
In 1961, Pennsylvania passed Act 561 that required certain school districts to merge by 1965. Wesleyville and Lawrence Park were two districts that were combined.
The 1963-1964 basketball team broke 100 points in four games with the highest score being 130 points. This may still be an Erie County record.
Wesleyville’s final class graduated in 1965. There were about 40 students in the class. Sports offered at the time were football, basketball, baseball and tennis. There were all male only activities. Additionally, the guys could walk to Lawrence Park and participate in wrestling and track and field.
The Wesleyville building continued housing students, first grades K-6 for Wesleyville students and beginning in 1989 grades K-3 for the entire district. The new Iroquois Elementary School opened in 2007 and the Wesleyville school stands vacant.