The original Foster School opened in 1905 and closed in 1979, and was key to desegregating Evanston’s public schools. Foster School Assistant Principal Alexis Whaley (left) and Willard School Principal Khloe Battle watch the opening ceremony. Oliver Ruff, an alumnus of the original Foster School, also addressed the impact of Foster’s opening. Other alumni of the old Foster School said they were surprised by how many features the new school had that theirs did not. Giles, Bell and Brunson-Long all attended the original Foster School as did their parents.