• "It is still hard to realize this honor, to think about the years ahead, and the hundreds of children who will walk the halls

    and learn about the quality of life in a school that bears my name is truly awesome."

    - Richard J. Duncan, 2002

     

                                                                 

    Our school, named after Richard J. Duncan, services kindergarten through sixth grade students. The school includes a dedicated wing for preschool and early childhood education. We opened in the fall of 2002.

    On January 28th, 2001, the Utica Community Schools Board of Education recognized the outstanding achievements of Richard J. Duncan, an area businessman and community supporter, by naming Utica's 28th elementary school after him. Mr. Duncan represented a strong and positive presence in our district by devoting his time and expertise to better both the community and the Utica Community Schools. Mr. Duncan was a founding member and five-time president of the Utica Community Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence. During his association, the Foundation raised more than $250,000 for additional classroom programming and scholarships for classrooms throughout the district. The highly successful Career Focus Luncheon was conceived by Mr. Duncan as an opportunity for sixth grade students to meet over lunch with area business professionals and collaborate about different career choices. Mr. Duncan also worked behind the scenes to provide funding for drug abuse prevention awareness programs, fine arts opportunities for students and supported theatrical performances for the community. He was a positive role model for hundreds of Utica Community Schools’ students and graduates.