The First School in Indian Head (Indian Head School District #49) was established in 1885 by HH Campkin in the upstairs room of the Thompson Hotel. In 1887, a two-story school was built on Buxton Street. As the population grew, so did the need for a larger facility to house the students. In the early 1890s, the overflow of students also utilized the new town hall located on the corner of Grand and Otterloo. In 1889, interest for a permanent school structure was voted on and the Territorial Government provided $25,000 to have a public school constructed. It was completed in 1901 and used for all grades until 1910 when another boom in the population prompted another move. It was decided that the high school grades would be moved to a building that used to be the headquarters for William Bell, located at Grand Ave and Woodward. There was a need to find a space with room for a playground so in 1914 a piece of land on the Corner of Crawford and Bell was purchased. This 4 room High School changed its name in the 1920s to Indian Head Collegiate. It boasted a soccer field, two baseball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts. Plus, one of the best Physics and Chemistry labs outside of the cities.
The elementary school was growing rapidly and two smaller cottage houses were built outside the main building to house more students. These were used until the 1930s when enrollment declined and the cottages were no longer needed and thus removed. After WW II and the birth of the baby boomers, enrollment once again skyrocketed and the need for more space. In 1953, a new building was constructed on the site where the cottages were. In 1961 a new high school was constructed with 6 classrooms, teacher’s lounge, gym, library, offices, and chemistry lab.
In the Spring of 1976, $1,100,000 was allocated to build a brand new elementary school.
