Horseheads Central School District history

The Village of Horseheads was incorporated in May 1837 as "Fairport" in recognition of the prominent role played by the community in the operation of the Chemung Canal.

In 1850, a four-room school was built next to this original building and served the community for the next 42 years.

The first recorded graduation took place in 1885, with Board of Education President Benjamin Westlake presenting completion certificates to Harriet Armitage, Vena Barlow, Joyce Johnson, Nita McNeish, Maude Ward, and John Curtis.

All elementary students from the Village of Horseheads attended a two-story brick school built in 1892 adjacent to the present High School.

The vote was held on April 27, 1950, and the new school district officially started on July 1.

In 1952, voters approved a $2.8 million bond issue to build new schools to meet the needs of the increasing population.

In 1954, voters approved the building of three elementary schools, an addition to the Breesport school, and a cafeteria and new gym for the High School.

In 1958, Broad Street Elementary opened.

In 1960, additions were added to Center Street, Ridge Road, and Big Flats.

In 1963, as baby boomers hit junior high school age, a junior high school was built between the High School and Center Street.

In 1966, Gardner Road Elementary School was built to accommodate a growing development on both sides of Westinghouse Road known as Windsor Gardens.

The junior high building became Junior High East when another junior high was built in 1969 and is now the High School's South Wing.

In 1970, the elementary portion of the school was ready to be opened as Sing Sing Road Elementary School.

Enrollment growth had slowed by 1975.

In 1983, Broad Street Elementary School was closed and rented to the Schuyler-Chemung-Tioga BOCES for one of their programs.

In 1987, ninth-graders became high-schoolers as the Junior High East building became part of the High School with the addition of a link between the schools.

The site is now a park entrance to the High School. It was known as the East Wing or the "old building" of the present High School until its demolition in 1988.

In 2000, district voters approved a multi-year $18.3 million capital project to upgrade and enhance district facilities.

In 2006, voters approved a $15.3 million capital project for district-wide facilities improvements, including the renovation of the High School auditorium, boiler and window replacement to more energy-efficient models, and the installation of a district-wide wireless network.

In 2015, secure vestibules were built at the entrances of each school building.

In the Fall of 2017, residents approved a nearly $100 million comprehensive capital project to renovate, upgrade, and rebuild district facilities.