Prior to incorporating in 1844, Naugatuck was know as Salem Bridge and previous to that, Judd's Meadow.  The following is from William Ward's book "The Early Schools of Naugatuck", described as a brief history of our school, teachers, text book, etc. from 1730 to 1850.  The text describes the boundaries of the Center School District, one of several that existed in town:

At a meeting of the Ecclesiastical Society of Salem held December 1st,1777:

"Sett off a District for schooling on the East side of the River, beginning at Nathan Porter's malt house (near what is the junction of South Main and High streets), to extend North as far as the road-and include all inhabitants from the River a quarter mile East of New Haven road (now High Street), and to extend near Mr. Jude Hoadley's house."

Colonial America had a close relationship between churches and government in setting up and running schools.  The Society oversaw local schools until the late 1790s.

The development of the schools in Naugatuck reflects the changes in the town as it grew with the expansion of industry.

Pictures are the Center District school; the drawing is one that was built around 1812 and torn down in 1849.  The photograph is the Center School located on the Green and what is now Meadow Street on Columbus Day 1892.  This school was built in 1852 and torn down in 1893.  Salem School replaced the Center District school in 1895; with the High School on the upper floors.