Florence Brasser Elementary School

Florence Brasser Elementary is a public elementary school in Rochester, New York that serves approximately 400 students in both the town of Gates and the town of Chili in Monroe County. It was first built in 1854 as a one-room schoolhouse titled Chili #11.  
 
During the winter of 1920-1921, the building burned down. By September 1921, a new one room school building was erected at the current site of the assistant principal's office/psychology office. In 1936, two additional classrooms were added at the current site of the OT/PT room and current main office. In 1951, a gym-auditorium was built at our library's current site, along with four classrooms. In 1955, six more classrooms were approved to be built on the building's north end.  
 
In 1955, the school was also re-named after a beloved teacher, Mrs. Florence Brasser, who taught students within its walls for 33 years. Mrs. Brasser holds the unique distinction of being one of the few living teachers to have ever had a school named after her. The honor was bestowed upon her in May 1955, when New York State observed its first Teacher Recognition Day. To this day, a portrait of Florence Brasser hangs in the school’s hallway as a tribute to her and her contributions to Brasser students. In 1960, a gymnasium, stage, kitchen and eight classrooms were added, followed by a cafeteria in 1976. In 2001, four classrooms were added which now serve as the school’s primary wing. In 2019, two additional classrooms at our south end were added. The Gates Chili School District opened in September 1956 as a consolidation of four union free school districts: Thomas Edison, Warren Harding, Washington Irving and Florence Brasser. Today, Brasser is the oldest school in the district and is one of four elementary schools. 

Click here to read the full history of Gates Chili Central School District