Wellsville Schools

Wellsville Schools. . The Mormon pioneers who settled Wellsville in 1856 demonstrated that educating their children was the most important goal after building shelter and planting crops. , , 1857 , The pioneers built a one-room church/schoolhouse. The first teacher was Francis W. Gunnell. , 10 Students , , 1860 , Robert Spencer taught at a second school for ten years. Money was scarce, so teachers were often paid in produce and livestock. , , 1880 , The Central School dedicated. "...very near and substantial. The schoolroom is furnished with Victor desks made in Logan...and a strip of blackboard four feet, extending around the room."-The Leader January 9, 1880 , , 1885 , 15 Students , , 1889 , 40 students , The Central School grew with the community, adding a two-story "handsome brick" structure. "...order and discipline are excellent...pupils average 1.5-4hrs per night in preparation of their studies." - The Leader , , 1908 , Voters approved consolidating all of Cache County (except Logan City) into one school district. Wellsville students attended three schools. , , 1910 , 29 High School Students , Central School became the high school in 1897. , , 1926 , 10 Teachers , , 1936 , Hot Meals 3¢ , During the Great Depression, Floradell began a school lunch program, sponsored by the Works Progress Administration. The students brought their own plate and sandwich or crackers, and with three cents could buy a hot meal of either soup, rice, chili, tomatoes, or vegetable stew. , , 1933 , Earthquake! , Earthquake damage condemned College Ward schoolhouse, so Floradell welcomed those teachers and students. , , 1934 , Art, music, dance, literary and social studies were added to the curriculum. , , 1963 , 308 Students , , 1914 , The District consolidated the county's high schools. Wellsville students rode the Utah Idaho Central Railroad to Hyrum and the Central School became a junior high. , , 1913 , 70 High school students , , 1940 , Wellsville Junion High replace the demolished Central School. Students attended classes in the city hall, Tabernacle basement, Gunnell garage, and the Floradell School basement until their new school opened. , , 1965 , Wellsville Junion High became Wellsville Elementary, serving all students from Wellsville and Mendon. , , 1968 , 451 Students , , 2016 , New high schools were built to accommodate continued growth throughout the valley as some buildings transitioned from high to junior or elementaries, with older buildings demolished, including Wellsville Elementary in 2017. , , 1999 , Willow Valley Middle School served 6th and 7th graders from Wellsville, Mendon, Hyum, Young Ward, College Ward, and Paradise. , , 2016 , Willow Valley Middle School transitioned into Wellsville Elementary School, serving as the only school in Wellsville, with secondary students attending schools in Hyrum. , , 2020 , 580 Elementary Students , , 2021 , Monument erected by the Wellsville City Historical Committee. Clyde Demler salvaged the bricks for the base during the Wellsville Elementary demolition. , , (photo captions) , 1. South School circa 1890 , This rock structure represents the many early schools throughout Wellsville and surrounding areas. , , 2. Presbyterian Mission School 1881-1907 , , 3. Central School 1880-1939 , Opened in a small rock buildling, this final expansion was completed in 1897 , , 4. Floradell School 1916-1982 , Last day of school held May 26, 1965 , , 5. Wellsville Junion High 1940-1965 , Wellsville Elementary 1965-2016 , , 6. Willow Valley Middle School 1999-2016 , Wellsville Elementary 2016-Present , , "The educational system has undergone many changes since the first school was held here in 1856, but one fact remains the same-School days hold treasured memories for those who attended schools in Wellsville." - "Windows of Wellsville" Book ,