It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 17, 1980.

A 1979 architectural review described it as follows:"...simple, rectangular mass is varied only by a projecting center pedimented pavilion, cut by a Neoclassical arch over the entrance.

The brownstone voussoirs and keystone of the arch and the basement story contrasted with the brick walls relate to the materials of the other schools.

Although the grand arch and triple-window motif is again used to mark the story over the entrance, the omission of overt Richardsonian Romanesque references make the Ellis School unique among its fellows.

An elliptical window is set into the center pediment which intersects the low pyramidal roof.