The Francis F. Wilson Elementary School opened on September 9, 1931.
The original building contained eight classrooms, two multi-purpose rooms and an auditorium, but was designed by architect Huse Templeton Blanchard to be expanded easily. The original plot of land was purchased by the RVC Board of Education from Rev. Peter Quealy for $37,000. Buckingham Road did not exist at the time and was built to create access to the school on the western side.
Morgan Coblentz Company did the building for $129,989. Heating and ventilation was done by the Metcalf Brothers for $23,000 as well as the plumbing for $7,000. Wether Electrical wired the building for $7,465. Buckingham Road and adjacent streets were paved by Johnson, Drake and Piper for $14,898.95.
By the fall of 1936 additional classroom space was needed due to overcrowding. A special district meeting was called to vote on a $140,000 bond issue to add a second story to the building. Eight classrooms, two additional multipurpose rooms, and two student bathrooms were included in this second story expansion.
The school is named after Professor Francis French Wilson, a prominent RVC citizen. He was a founding member of Rockville Centre Library and Improvement Association in 1882 as well as a founding member of the Ascension Episcopal Church of RVC. He served as president of the RVC Board of Education and was on the original Board of Directors of the Bank of Rockville Centre. It was Professor Wilson who organized RVC Schools and got the new district recognized by the New York State Board of Regents.
His vision, untiring devotion to children and spirit of service continue to pervade the building through the dedicated staff, parents, and community members who support a strong educational environment.