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Our Location

Socrum Elementary School is located in the northwest corner of Polk County in central Florida approximately halfway between Tampa and Orlando. It is a rural school with deep historical roots.

What Makes Us Unique?

Pioneer History

The area from Ward Road off Kathleen Road to about one-half mile west of Highway 98 is designated as "Historic Socrum". In the early 1840's pioneer settlers began moving to this tranquil, scenic wilderness area. They braved Indians, swamps, wild animals, suffered many hardships, and lived under very primitive conditions. Socrum was once known as Soak-Rum Territory because people soaked their rum to keep it cool in Indian Pond (pic. 10) near present day Bethel Baptist Church which is just around the corner east of the school. Fort Socrum was built south of the church to protect the community from hostile Indians. The last Indian skirmish occured in 1856. Sometime in the 1850's the community's name was changed to Socrum.

The first Socrum school (pic. 4) was opened in the 1850's and was one of the first schools established in Polk County. Some of the original buildings doubled as church on Sunday and school during the week. Professor S. L. Collins taught at the Socrum school in 1909-1910 (pic.3) and was principal at Kathleen High School when the first class graduated in 1932. Until 1953 the schools of this area were known as strawberry schools. Instead of a summer break, they had a winter break when strawberries were in season because the children needed to help pick the strawberries (pic. 2). Interestingly, records show some of the earliest schools were only in session about three months out of the year because children had to help with many of the agricultural crops, not just strawberries, during most of the year. The last wooden school (pic. 6) burned down in the mid 1930's and there was not another school in the community until the current Socrum Elementary School was opened in 1991.

Family life in early Socrum required children to help out with the chores around the home place before and after school, so they did not have much time to get into mischief. Also different from children today, they usually had only a couple of dresses or overalls for school and had to change into their work clothes as soon as they got home.

We are ever thankful to those early pioneers for leaving us with such a rich and bountiful heritage of family and education in this community. Some of our present day "pioneers" - students and staff - are direct descendants of the early settlers. We challenge all our "pioneers" to build upon this heritage.

	This store, located just southwest of the present school, was operated in the early 1900's by John C. F. Witter, the man standing on the steps. He was the great- grandfather of Ruth Anne Witter Maloy, Asst. Principal of Socrum Elementary. Much of her family still lives in the community. (pic. 1)
	This is an early 1920's picture of one of the local strawberry fields in the Socrum community. It was located a couple of miles east of the present day school. You can see all the children helping pick the berries in the field. (pic.2)
	Here is Prof. S. L. Collins in front of one of the early Socrum schools in 1909. There are three students and a teacher (just to his right) standing with him. Someone is peeking out the window! (pic. 3)
	This is a picture of the first school house in Socrum. It was located just east of the present Bethel Baptist Church on the property of C. M. Witter, Sr., grandfather of R. Maloy. The building was also used as a Primitive Baptist Church on Sundays. Mr. J.A. Dunn bought the building, moved it to his property and lived in it for years. Mr. Dunn's daughter lived in it and his granddaughter is currently living in the house. It is just around the corner north of the present Socrum school which is built on part of Mr. Dunn's property. (pic.4)
	The date at the top of this school photo says "1927 Socrum School". (pic.5)
	This is a 1930's picture of the last wooden Socrum school. The students are in the 4th - 6th grades. The last person to the right in the second row is the teacher, Edna Mallory. Some of her great-grandchildren went to the present day school and some of her family still live in the community. (pic.6)
	These books are stamped "Socrum School Library" and are dated 1906 and 1912. The two on the right are from the family of Edna Mallory and were home with her the day the school burned down. The two on the left and the bell are from the family of Ruth A. Maloy. Her granddad, C.M. Witter, Sr. was a Socrum School trustee in the early 1900's. (pic. 7)
	Bethel Baptist Church built this wooden building in the 1890's. It was used until the new, brick building was completed in 1928. Early church buildings were used for school during the week and church on Sunday. (pic.8)
	This picture was taken in 1929 at the dedication of Bethel Baptist Church's new brick building. The construction was begun in 1927 and completed in 1928. It was the largest rural church in Florida and one of the largest in the south. (pic.9)
	This is a 1950's picture of the present day Bethel Baptist Church. It is just around the corner southeast of Socrum Elementary School. The pond is "Indian Pond" or "Church Lake" as it has been affectionately referred to in more recent years. (pic.10)

Many thanks to all the people who helped with information concerning the above "Pioneer History". Much of the information was gleaned from articles Arlene Alford, community resident, had gathered when she was doing research on the area and the church.

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Title One

Parent Involvement

At Socrum Elementary School we want to increase the involvement of our students' parents in school academics and events. One way is through the use of the Pioneer Connection Room. This room (#307-308) is full of materials set aside for check-out by the parents for use at home and by teachers in the classroom. Another way is through Family Fun Nights held in this room once a month. Patty Lake, our Title I Instructional Support Teacher, not only oversees this program but she is our Staff Volunteer Coordinator. She plans volunteer meetings and "events" throughout the year. Lorie Kiddey, one of our parents, is our Parent Volunteer Coordinator. Together she and Mrs. Lake work hard to increase parent involvement through the volunteer program at our school.
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Music Program

The music program at Socrum Elementary, under the direction of Lawrence Brown, provides all students with the opportunity to learn and enjoy music not only by singing but through the use of many instruments including baritone ukeleles, recorders, keyboards, and bells. Every grade level gives a performance at sometime during the year for other students and for their families to enjoy. The chorus, comprised of 4th and 5th grade students, is very popular with the retirement communities in the area and is requested annually to perform as part of the Christmas celebrations at those locations.
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Art at Socrum

Physical Education

TV Production/AM News Show

Each morning, a group of fourth and fifth graders gather in the media center to present the school with all of the latest in important news. They tell important announcements and give the day's weather report. Fridays are reserved for Friday fun. On this day, the students present jokes and other "fun" they have discovered throughout the school during the week. Everyone looks forward to the new shenanigans of Grandma and her sidekick, Spunky Sparky and Friends.

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