Introducing Wales Sixth Grade School: Honoring Our History, Building Our Future

A new chapter in Hilliard City Schools history now has a name. The Board of Education has unanimously approved Wales Sixth Grade School for the school that will be created by repurposing the current Brown Elementary building on Walker Road in Brown Township.

The name recognizes the rich educational history of the property and the Welsh heritage that helped shape the surrounding community.

The property has served as an educational site for generations. A one-room school known as the Wales School was established there in 1840, during a period when Welsh settlers were establishing a significant presence in Brown Township.

In its later years, the Wales School served students in grades 3–5. In 1931, it was consolidated with the Huggett and McCoy schools to form the first Brown Elementary School, which was built on the Wales School site. The original Wales School building was demolished that same year.

“By choosing Wales Sixth Grade School, the district is honoring that history while continuing the site’s longstanding tradition of educating local students,” said Superintendent David Stewart.

The new sixth grade school is part of the district’s Master Facilities Plan, made possible by community support for the passage of the 2024 levy. As Brown Elementary is rebuilt on property just down the road, the existing building will be repurposed to serve a new generation of sixth-grade students.

Board of Education President Kara Crowley said, “The Board’s unanimous vote reflects our shared appreciation for the history of this site and our responsibility to the generations of students who will learn here in the years ahead. Wales Sixth Grade School is a meaningful way to honor our community’s roots while looking forward to what’s next.”

The name Wales Sixth Grade School connects generations of learners through a shared place and history. We are excited to begin this next chapter and look forward to welcoming students into a school that honors where our community has been and where it is going.