In 1864, six years before its incorporation, Bayonne erected its first district school at what is now Avenue D(Broadway) and  27th Street. The population of Bayonne was 2,500. School No. 2 began as 2 rooms with only 60 pupils. Mr. John E. Andrews was one of the first teachers. followed by Mr. Eboneezer C. Earl in 1866. In 1866, a teacher was the janitor, administrator, nurse, disciplinarian, as well as the teacher. In 1869, School No. 2 went into a new brick building on Avenue D(Broadway) and 26th Street and Mr. Earl was appointed Principal. In 1872, Thomas Kennedy was appointed the 2nd principal and he was succeeded in 1873 by Philip G. Vroom. At first there were only 2 or 3 teachers, then attendance began to increase. Six classrooms in 1873 grew to sixteen classrooms in 1909. The first graduation exercises of No. 2 were held in June, 1882, with 10 students completing the grammar school course. It was Mr. Vroom's aim to have No. 2 lead Bayonne in scholarship. It was there that the nucleus of the High School was formed. Academic classes in all schools were consolidated at No. 2 and the first Academic class, consisting of three students, graduated from No. 2 in June, 1883, which later grew into the High School.
    On September 1, 1909. Mr. Vroom was retired after 36 years as Principal of No. 2 School. During his tenure, the city grew from 5,000 to over 50,000 and the graduating class of No. 2 grew from 10 in 1882 to 90 in 1909. Its graduates remember him with affection and respect and owe much to his help and encouragement. When it comes to boasting of the fame of its graduates, P.G.Vroom can claim many famous former students. Considered the most outstanding graduate of Vroom School is State Supreme Court Justice Nathan Jacobs. He graduated in January, 1918. By 1914, the Board of Education decided that No. 2 School was obsolete, and in the winter of 1914, during a driving snowstorm, Mayor Bert Daly laid the cornerstone for a new, bigger, more up-to-date building at its present location. The school was to be named after Mr. Vroom and would contain 27 classrooms and a basement gym. Its auditorium would seat 600 in the orchestra and another 200 in the balcony. The dedication and graduation of the first class from Vroom School were held simultaneously on a Saturday evening, the 26th of June, 1915. Some notable graduates were: Harry Feinberg, former city attorney, 1896; Police Captain William Veydovec, 1920; Dr. Sam Penchansky, Fire Captain Abraham Botwinick, and Frederick Feczko, former vice-president of the Hudson County Holy Name Federation, all class of 1922; and David Applebaum, former deputy to Commissioner William O. Walsh, 1929.