St. Charles Public Schools history

The West Side Public School in St Charles was built in 1854 for $6,000.

St Charles’ second public school, the East Side School, was built in 1856 for $15,000.

For almost thirty years things ran smoothly, but by the late 1880’s a fierce rivalry between the two schools had formed.

Edward J. Baker contributed $30,000 to the construction of the building, and additional money came from a trust fund which the school district received from Haines at his death in 1914.

Each school had four rooms to serve grades one through eight and an additional room for students in the high school program. It is during this period that one begins to find references to a high school, as in “East St Charles High School.” By the 1920’s the Haines School was crowded and expanded facilities were needed.

The first Charlemo was published by the Seniors graduating in 1921.

To meet the enrollment needs, a new high school building on the southwest corner of Seventh and Main Streets, property which had also been donated by Charles Haines, was dedicated on March 12, 1926.

In January 1927, it was determined that a school would be opened at St Charles Parish as well.

In 1928 the East Side School burned down and a new school was built in its place.

The 1932 Charlemo commemorates George Washington’s 200th birthday during the nation-wide George Washington Bicentennial Celebration sponsored by the United States Congress.

High School District 150, Elementary District 87 and Little Woods District 79 were consolidated through a referendum in 1949 to form Community Unit District 303.

In March of 1951, work began on a new St Charles Church and school facility.

Due to a rapid increase in enrollment, in 1954, a combination gymnasium/cafeteria was built onto the north end of the school.

In 1955, the first African American students moved from Franklin High School to attended SCHS.

Later in 1957-58, five new junior high classrooms and special service rooms were added along with the extension of the gymnasium.

The new science wing, which was dedicated on May 24, 1959, was recognized as one of the top facilities of its kind in the nation.

In June of 1968, a $150,000 addition was built onto the school.

Dunham Junior High School, a building with open classrooms arranged around the library, was dedicated on the site in 1973.

By the late 1990's St Charles Parish had grown to over 3,000 families.

The North Building on the Dunham campus opened in 1995.