The Daily Enquirer noted in December of 1855 that the school would accomodate 400 scholars. However, Baxter in his 1891 History of Grand Rapids noted that it accomocated 464 pupils in rooms that had low ceilings and were lighted by small windows. The third floor of the building, originally used as an armory or drill room by the militiamen, was converted to school use when the number of pupils increased.