Today, we have two photos to examine, taken in front of the same school in Passaic, New Jersey, likely around 1920.

Again using ChatGPT 4o, I asked:

This picture was taken perhaps about 1917 in Passaic, NJ. Can you identify which public school is in the background? It is definitely not #10 School.

Answer:

Here’s what I found:

The building in your photo—with its brick façade, high windows, and classical stone trim—is very similar to Public School Number Two in Paterson (Mill & Passaic Streets). That structure, built in 1871, is a tall, Victorian Gothic, brick-and-stone schoolhouse with rows of high sash windows and significant stone detailing reddit.com+5theclio.com+5theclio.com+5.

Although PS #2 is technically in Paterson—not Passaic—the architectural style and window arrangement match much more closely than what we know of Passaic’s School No. 10. PS #2 also had a second iteration—an adjacent 1920s building—so both old and newer wings could appear behind the children .

Key similarities:

• Two-and-a-half stories over a basement, with tall, evenly spaced windows.
• Brick walls with stone trim around windows and between floors.
• A classic Victorian schoolhouse look, unlike the simpler façade of Passaic’s No. 10.

Even if it turns out to be in Paterson, there’s a strong case you’re looking at one of the city’s grand older schools (PS #2) rather than one of Passaic’s. Passaic had several other schools then (like Columbia School or later additions), but none share the same heavy gothic-style brick architecture.

If you’re set on Passaic city, you might consider comparing to old photos of the 1907 “Columbia School” near Main Avenue—that one features similar masonry and large windows. But for now, Public School No. 2 in Paterson remains the closest match.

WRONG! I actually found an image of this school and identified it myself and it’s not #2 School in Paterson.

I have a second photo, which I added to my AI query:

This shows much more of the building, so I added:

Here is another photo of the same school building. It is definitely in Passaic. Can you identify it now?

Answer:

Here’s a sharper look at what you’re working with — a large, multi‑story brick-and-stone schoolhouse, complete with tall windows, prominent entry pavilion, and a decorative iron-wire fence — clearly marked Passaic, not Paterson.

Based on this image and historical records, it closely matches Thomas Jefferson School No. 1, located at 390 Van Houten Avenue, Passaic. Here’s why it fits:

• Built in 1870, this red-brick, stone-trimmed structure featured a grand entrance (possibly with a tower) and rows of tall windows on two-plus stories sites.rootsweb.com+6aol.com+6reddit.com+6passaicschools.org+1cityofpassaic.com+1.
• It was Passaic’s first free public school, serving all grades from Pre‑K through 8, up until it burned down in 1921 tangex.com+2passaicschools.org+2aol.com+2.
• The layout and architectural details—stone lintels, large classrooms, symmetrical windows, and historic fencing—match your photos nearly perfectly.

Here’s the key snippet:

“Thomas Jefferson School No. 1 was the first free public school in the City of Passaic. It first opened its doors on October 3, 1870 … destroyed by a fire on October 5, 1921” passaicschools.org

So it seems clear now: your family photo was taken in front of Thomas Jefferson School No. 1 on Van Houten Avenue. A truly historic backdrop for your cherished moment. Let me know if you’d like help tracking down archival photos of School No. 1 before the 1921 fire!

Still wrong!

Next query: No, it’s absolutely not Jefferson School. Any other ideas?

Answer:

Here’s a fresh perspective—based on careful comparison to your photos and additional research, the school behind your family appears to be Passaic’s William B. Cruise Memorial School No. 11 (also known as Memorial Elementary School 11) at 390 Gregory Avenue, not Jefferson or school #10.

Here’s why it fits:

• Windows & façade layout: Your photo clearly shows tall, wide rows of windows with stone lintels around a central entrance—this mirrors archival images and descriptions of School No. 11 ebay.com+12homes.com+12homes.com+12.
• Location confirmation: A thread on r/newjersey—about identifying a skate spot from an old school building—pinpointed the same structure as “Memorial Elementary School 11” in Passaic reddit.com. “Update: Found it on google earth. It is indeed in Passaic. Memorial Elementary School 11.”
• Historical naming: This matches the 20th-century designation William B. Cruise Memorial School No. 11, recognized locally and featured in the school district index reddit.com.

Given that your photo likely dates from the 1910s–20s era, it aligns well with the period when School No. 11 was active and sporting that architectural style.

Three strikes and ChatGPT 4o is out. It’s the old Wilson Junior High School #12.

This try didn’t turn out too well! Perplexity couldn’t correctly identify the building either.