George Clinton Calef

        George Clinton Calef, for whom our school is named, was born in Washington, Vermont on June 19, 1837. As a child Calef had very little schooling. As a young man he moved to Providence, Rhode Island where he and his brothers started a business called "Calef Brothers Market". The business was very successful. George C. Calef was said to be honorable in all business dealings. Calef moved his family to Johnston in 1875. He built a huge home on Greenville Avenue on the hill which is behind what is now Frankie's Market. While living in Johnston, Calef worked tirelessly to improve area schools. He served on the school committee and also brought in teachers from other states and let them stay in his home.

      He started the first high school in the town in 1886 in the old Odd Fellows building. A few years later a new high school was built on Killingly Street. For all his efforts George Calef came to be known as "The Father of Johnston High School". He headed committees for entertainment and all funds raised were used for the Town's schools. All lecturers, performers, and entertainers were Mr. Calef's overnight guests.

      Mr. Calef died in Johnston on February 15, 1897. Twenty-six years later this school was built in honor of this extraordinary man.

      In the future we plan to update our history page and focus on the early years of Calef School to include personnel and programs.

     We are missing a few graduating class photographs: 1941 - 1946, 1951, 1954, 1955. If you have any of these photographs, or if you would like to visit our Calef History Room, please contact 

Alan Iemma, Calef Historian, at 1(401) 831-2653

Copyright © 2006 Johnston Public Schools