History of Van Zile Elementary School

Van Zile was built in what was then Hamtramck Township, in 1921. The school was originally known as the Outer Drive School after the school being located off Outer Drive. Hamtramck Township had been on the decline for over 60 years by the time Detroit annexed the section in 1925 of which Hamtramck Township had built the school. The remains of Hamtramck Township can be found in the city of Hamtramck MI, of which is the only remaining part that was never annexed by Detroit is located. In 1926 the school was renamed by Detroit to the Van Zile School. In the 20s and 30s many smaller expansions were done at the school, however a large addition in 1950 would add a gymnasium and auditorium. In its years of operation it was overcrowded, however this issue was largely solved when the Farwell School open just north of the school in 1963. Between 2007 and 2011 the school lost half of its student body going from 554 students to 245. That same year the school was closed.