The Šilute primary school

It is not known exactly where the first primary school of Šilokarčema (now Šilutė) was located; most likely it was in the neighborhood of the former market place, on the right bank of the Šyša. As the number of pupils increased, in the second half of the 19th century, the folk school of Šilokarčema was established. An atypical three-story building of interesting architecture was dedicated to it. It is believed that the original purpose of the building was different, only later it was given to educational purposes. The school was officially named as Žibų-Šilokarčema school. In 1900, there were as many as seven classes. The rapid increase in the number of pupils and Šilokarčema becoming a significant center of economic and cultural activity encouraged having a larger school adapted to educational purposes. A new two-story folk school (now 38 Lietuvininkų St.) was built quickly on the site of the demolished one in 1900-1901. It had eight classrooms, auxiliary rooms, a gym equipped with modern gymnastics equipment, and a spacious yard.

Teaching at school was in German, but it was attended by many children from Lithuanian families. In 1945, after the World War II, the school resumed its activity and the history of the Lithuanian school began. The building housed primary classes belonging to Šilute I secondary school (now Šilute first high school). Since 1962, independent schools of various types of general education were already operating here: seven-grade and eight-grade schools. In 1974-1980, Šilutė IV secondary school (currently Šilutė Pamarys primary school) operated in the building. Later, various organizations were established: an industrial training center, a part-time school, a sports school, a pioneer house, etc. Only in 1990, Šilutė primary school was opened here. It existed for 22 years and became a part of Šilutė Pamarys basic school in 2012. Since September 1, 2015, Šilute Art School operates in the building.