Bob Dylan’s School Days

“Bob Zimmerman had Kindergarten in Duluth at the Nettleton Elementary School— 108 East 6th Street, Duluth, MN 55805 (1st Avenue East and Sixth Street)”

In 1946, a year after the war ended, Bob enrolled at the Nettleton elementary school two blocks from his home. The same year he gave his singing debut at a family party. Children were encouraged to perform for the entertainment of the adults. When it was his turn, four-year-old Bob stamped his foot for attention. “If everybody in this room will keep quiet,” he said. “I will sing for my grandmother. I’m going to sing `Some Sunday Morning.'” It was such a success the audience demanded an encore. Bob obliged with “Accentuate the Positive.” These were popular tunes on the radio at the time. “Our phone never stopped ringing with people congratulating me,” said the proud Beatty.

Nettleton Elementary School

Bob attended kindergarten at Nettleton Elementary School, two blocks away, and, depending on who you talk to, walked to school every day or was dragged there “kicking and screaming.” Today, the school is boarded up.

Looking southwest from 1st Avenue at Nettleton Magnet Elementary School (Dylan's elementary school) out at Lake Superior. — Looking southwest from 1st Avenue at Nettleton Magnet Elementary School (Dylan’s elementary school) out at Lake Superior.

Robert Allen Zimmerman’s School grades and dates

First .……………….1947-1948 (aged 6yrs on entry)

Bob attended the Alice School. “He thinks the ringing of the recess bell means time to go home. It takes a few extra trips to figure out how very long the school day is.” – Engel, David. Just Like Bob Zimmerman’s Blues. Page 56.

Alice School

Alice School, 2300 2nd Avenue East, for grade one. It had a residence for teachers on its top floor. In 1979 it was torn down to become a parking lot, with part of the land used for a playground.

Bob Dylan attended Grade 1 at the Alice School and then Grade 2-12 at Hibbing High School

Bob Zimmerman in grade one at Alice School.

Second ……………1948-1949 (aged 7yrs on entry)Third 1949-1950 8

Third ……………….1949-1950 (aged 8yrs on entry)

Fourth ……………..1950-1951 (aged 9yrs on entry)

Fifth …………………1951-1952 (aged 10yrs on entry)

Sixth ……………….1952-1953 (aged 11yrs on entry)

Seventh ………….1953-1954 (aged 12yrs on entry)

Bob Zimmerman, 12 years old, 6th grade, Washington School, 1953. — Miss John’s 5th Grade Class 1952-1953:
Back row: Nancy Annes, David Rian, Bonnie Marinac, Shirley Zubich, Bill Marinac, Peggy Teske, Judy Hennessey
Front row: Griffith Thomas, Bob Zimmerman.

Washington School, Hibbing.

Students at the Washington participate in various festivities and celebrations throughout the school year. One such activity takes place near Thanksgiving; kindergarteners make paper costumes and dress up as pilgrims to have a “feast” in the hallway. Choir concerts are also a part of Washington Elementary’s activities in which students sing patriotic songs such as “This Land is Your Land”

Eighth ……………..1954-1955 (aged 13yrs on entry)