Corsica High School

Brief History--Past to Present

"Education has come a long way since the days of the one-room schoolhouses and apples for the teacher."  School first began in Corsica in the fall of 1905.   Classes consisted of all eight grades.  It started in the back rooms of Corsica State Bank and moved from there to the Baptist Church for the last six weeks of school.  The school started on the Monday after Thanksgiving and was scheduled for a seven month term.  Elin Youngstrom was the teacher and she had about forty pupils.

"A new school building was completed in the fall (October) of 1906 at a cost of $2625.00.  The structure measured 28x40, and was built in its present location facing south."

"In 1908 two rooms were added to the south and the entrance was changed to the west."  Students welcomed the new addition when they returned in the fall of 1909.

In 1921 it was determined that new building was needed.  The cost of the new building was $20,000 and was bonded for 20 years.  "In 1922 the main part of the brick building was completed, and the two-story structure contained two classrooms and an assembly on the first floor and four rooms upstairs.  The assembly was also used as a gymnasium.  In 1929 the classroom over the boiler room was completed and included new toilets and showers."

In the fall of 1937 and addition was completed to the existing structure and included a gymnasium-auditorium.

In 1954 another addition was made to the existing facility.  A Home Economics and and Industrial Arts room was added.  The addition also included new showers and dressing rooms, plus a large stage on the east side of the gymnasium-auditorium.

"Another addition was completed 1968.  The structure houses the six elementary grades, (which were formerly taught in the high school building), a listening center and area for small groups, along with offices for the superintendent, business manager, and secretary.  A lobby and trophy display case complete the addition.

In 1981 the new high school building was completed and the old high school now serves as an elementary and middle school facility.

In 2003 an addition was added on the east and north side of the 1981 building.  This addition included 4 classrooms that became a middle school along with a cafeteria/kitchen.  It also included additional rest rooms and two locker rooms giving the facility a total of 4 locker rooms.  In 2015-16 Corsica and Stickney consolidated to for a new School District known as Corsica-Stickney.  In 2023-2024 school year a new building was constructed in Stickney providing new classrooms for grades K-5 as well as a commons and adminstrative Offices.  The old two story brick building was demolished.  In Corsica a new gymnasium along with 3 classrooms, a commons area, weight room and concession area was added to the 1981 school on the northwest corner.  These two projects greatly updated the existing facilities.

Follow the 2023 Construction for the Corsica-Stickney School Buildings through a pictorial time sequence--(Click Here)

FROM THE OLD SCHOOL NEWSPAPERS AVAILABLE AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE  THE CORSICA SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ALWAYS PLACED MAJOR EMPHASIS ON ITS CURRICULUM AND THE EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.  "CORSICA OFFERS AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION PROGRAM WHICH DOESN'T NEED TO TAKE A BACK SEAT TO ANYONE."  NUMEROUS CHANGES HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE MANY YEARS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS MAINTAINED A CONCENTRATED EFFORT TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF ITS STUDENT POPULATION IN THEIR ENDEAVORS THAT FOLLOW THE BASIC EDUCATION TRAINING THEY RECEIVED AT THE CORSICA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BELOW ARE SOME ARTICLES TAKEN FROM SOME EARLY EDITIONS OF THE CORSICA HIGH SCHOOL PAPERS(THE WOODEN SHOE around the 1920's):

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION

"Since we are unable to have basketball this year, it has been suggested that we set aside one night a weeks for games, boxing matches, wrestling, indoor-baseball, etc.   we submit the idea for your approval.  Let us hear from you, both students, towns-people, faculty, and all.  We feel the need of recreation other than those to be found on the street."

EXERCISES, MAY 18

"The seventh annual commencement of Corsica High School will be held in the Odd Fellows" Hall on Friday evening, May 18, 1928 at eight o' clock..(From this information we might assume that the first commencement at Corsica High school may have been in May of 1922)
Rev. J. R. Van Dyke will pronounce the invocation; the Girls Glee Club will sing two selections; Henry Brummel will sing a tenor solo.  The salutatorian and valedictorian will speak on the commencement program instead of a a class day program.   Mr. O'Brine will present the seniors to Mr. L. J. DeBeer, president of the Board of Education, who will present to the seniors their diplomas."

GIVES MESSAGE TO CLASS

"Baccalaureate services were held Sunday evening, May 13, 1928 at the Grace Reformed Church.  Rev. Van Dyke of the Christian Reformed Church offered prayer, and read a portion of the Bible from which the text for the sermon was taken. Rev. Duvan gave the sermon.  The High School glee club gave two selections."

JUNIOR-SENIOR BANQUET TONIGHT.

"The Annual Junior-Senior Banquet will be held at Barnes Cafe this evening April, 24th, 1925 at 8:00 PM.  From the preparations that are being made, this affair promised to surpass all previous ones.  Many interesting speeches are scheduled, an best of all, wonderful "feed" has been arranged for.  It is an occasion that both classes have been looking forward to for a long time."

ATHLETICS

September, 1925-"The problem of athletics, whether or not it will be a part of our curriculum, now confronts our school  We hope that this will be solved in the affirmative.  Why must our school differ from others?  If other students are able to enjoy these sports and still uphold their standard in the course of study, why can we not do the same?  Athletics not only develops the body physically, but mentally as well.  An athletes must sacrifice his good times and abide by the rules of the organization which compels him keep his body in the best of condition."

SECOND ANNUAL DECLAMATORY CONTEST

October, 1925-"The Second Annual Declamatory contest of the Corsica High School will be held sometime before the Christmas holidays.  The three divisions, as in last year's contest will be the same this year, which are:  Oratorical, Dramatical, and Humorous.

ADVANTAGES OF AN ACCREDITED HIGH SCHOOL

"Four years ago our High School became one of the accredited High Schools in South Dakota.  To be an accredited high school it was necessary that there be a least three teachers in the system, and that fifteen subjects be taught.  Since becoming accredited, Corsica High School has maintained this standard.  Not only is there a wider range of subjects, a better opportunity to cooperate with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction at Pierre, but there also have been rapid advancements along all lines.  Today graduates of this school may enter any of the State Universities without taking an entrance examination, and credits earned here may be transferred to any other high school.

It is an immediate aim of the School Board, the Faculty, and the Student Body to advance our school at every possible opportunity."

SCHOOL OPENING
Rainy Labor Day Sees Students Return For Another Years Work

"Labor Day marked the beginning of another school year.  Although the number in both the High School and Grades is somewhat smaller this year than last, the enthusiasm for study seems greater.

In the high school the morning was given over to registering pupils and the arranging of courses of study.  A daily schedule was worked out, and in the afternoon brief sessions were held and assignments given out.

The courses being taught this semester are as follows:

Plane Geometry        Sociology                     Medieval History
Commercial Law      Elementary Algebra      Commercial Geography
Community Civics     American History         General Science
Economics                 Latin II                         English I
English II                   English III                     English IV

The High School enrollment this year is 34, of which 10 are in the Freshmen class.   We expect the total registration to increase during the coming week.

NEW COURSES FOR NEXT SEMESTER

"At the present writing, it is not definitely known just what subjects will follow those half year subjects now being given.  It is however, certain that Civil Government will follow American History, and it is quite likely that Commercial Arithmetic will be replaced by Commercial Geography:  Sociology by Vocational Guidance; Commercial Law by Advanced Algebra; and Economics by the Art of Debate."

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE EDITION OF THE CORSICA GLOBE (JUNE 18, 1980) REPORTS:

"A new senior high school on a 20 acre plot on the east end of Main Street will be completed in July.  Classes will begin there in August (August 21, 1980).  The Kindergarten classes will move out of the present mobile unit (the industrial arts will move from the garage on the southeast corner of the elementary site).  The elementary addition will house K-5, the present high school will include grades 6-8, and grades 9-12 will move to the new senior high school. 

The new senior high will include designated rooms for math, English, and social studies; a complete science room a new computer room, a business room, industrial arts(classroom and workroom), music room(soundproof practice rooms), central library, large multi-purpose room, expanded office area, and intercom.  The multi-purpose room can be divided into two classes, a study hall, a testing room, or a meeting room for school-related activities,  The office areas will house the superintendent, business manager, and secretary.  Physical education and athletic programs will find a home in the new gymnasium with shower and locker facilities, a new lighted football field, and a 400 meter track."