History of the First

Current School

As you enter our building your eyes will immediately focus on the beautiful stained glass window created by Mr. Herman, our local stained glass artist and former Relay parent. The Relay students provided funding for the project during a penny drive. The stained glass was unveiled and dedicated at our school's 35th Anniversary Celebration. Look closely, embedded in the glass is one of the pennies collected.

First Relay School

Relay Elementary is unique. It is one of the few schools in Baltimore County that has preserved all of its previous structures. The original Relay Elementary School, located at 1548 South Rolling Road, is in the Relay Historic District designated by Baltimore County. It was built in 1864 and was the one room schoolhouse for the area. The school closed in 1920 and was turned into a private residence. Linda Stevenson, the librarian at Relay Elementary, currently owns the schoolhouse. After major restoration it still maintains the original windows containing student etchings, original wainscoting throughout, turnbuckles and 14-foot ceilings. The house is frequently used for historical fiction lessons and community history tours.

Second Relay School

Following the closure of the original school in 1920, the second Relay Elementary School was built. The school is located on the corner of South Rolling Road and Arlington Avenue in the Relay Historic District. The classrooms were plaster walled with coatrooms and indoor plumbing. Classrooms remain the same today. This building closed in 1965 and is now used by the Relay Children's Center for day care and private kindergarten.

Present Relay School

Relay is proud of it's heritage, it's educational achievements and community involvement. For more information about our historic community visit the Relay Community History Web Page compiled by the Arbutus Library.