Hi and welcome from Victoria, Australia.

Welcome from Michigan.:)

Very few schools have a home ec department any more. They just don't teach sewing. I bought two from our local auction barn to have for my quilting club through our Extension Service. They work fine for what we do. Most members bring their own machines, but in case they don't we have two for them to use. Got them for $50 each plus $60 to have thenm each tuned up.

Hi from Ohio!

I picked up a Riccar "school" machine at a thrift shop. It was almost brand new and sewed like a deam. I gave it to a lady who was repairing their clothes-there is more of that in this economy. She wrote me later that she just loved sewing on it. I don't think I have ever had a Singer school machine.
Tommie

Welcome from New York.

Hi and welcome from Arizona.

Can you tell us a little more about the machine you are talking about....brand and model number? There is a section on this forum that focuses on the older machines and with more information we could probably point you in the right direction.

welcome from se TX

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D
Unfortunately, Home Ec is one of the classes being dropped in some schools :(