It was a vision that two brothers shared: Creating a "Garden City" suburb, by
working in harmony with nature, and assigning certain areas for human
activity. This 6.5 square miles of land eventually became known as Shaker Heights.
Named after the
North Union Shaker Community who settled there in the early
1800s.
The brothers? They were
Oris and Mantis Van Sweringen.
Though these two had keen eyes for beautiful buildings, respect for the land
and the foresight to build a
rapid transit system, they also had agreements
drawn up to include racial and ethnic restrictions. Active efforts to change those unjust restrictions began in the 1970s and 1980s. By the 1990s, Blacks made up 30% of the city's population.
Once a part of Warrensville Twp., then Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights was
incorporated as a village in 1911 and a city in 1931.
The Van Sweringen brothers began development in 1905.
Part of their vision for the community included a rail system for the 8-mile
journey downtown. On April 11, 1920, Moreland (later Van Aken) and Shaker
boulevards started services for the
Shaker rapid, then known as the Cleveland
Interurban Railroad.
Some scenic sights in Shaker Heights are the Nature Center at
Shaker Lakes,
where there is lush foliage, forests, marshes, wildlife and educational
programs; and the Community Rose Garden, near Woodbury Elementary School.
Other educational experiences include the Shaker Historical Museum
or the two libraries.
Schools are a source of pride in this community. Shaker Heights public schools are consistently recognized for excellence in education. This is evident in outstanding accomplishments as well as statistics.
Thirteen percent of the senior class (49 students) earned one or more honors
in National Merit and National Achievement scholarship competitions in the
1999-2000 school year. More than 90% of the graduates attend college.
In the 1998-99 Department of Education District Report Card, released February of 2000, Shaker Heights' statistics showed, a 96.8% graduation rate. The state's average graduation rate was listed as 81.4%; the state graduation performance standard is 90%.
Student per teacher ratios are lower and household incomes are higher than
average. There are 14.9 students per teacher, 7.5% of the students are economically
disadvantaged and the median household income is $41,387. The state's average
median income is $27,232. Annual spending per pupil is $10,891, exceeding the state's average, $6,642.
"Shaker Heights combines beauty, architectural distinction, convenient living and a community-wide commitment to education. A population from all over the country lives in Shaker Heights because here, they have finally come home." - Mayor Patricia Mearns
Connect to find out more about the city @ www.shakeronline.com
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