Menasha Joint School District The history of the Menasha Joint School District begins in 1848, the same year that Wisconsin became a state. Education in Menasha was introduced by Ellridge Smith, a lawyer who moved from the East, who utilized his home as a law office, dancing hall, and schoolhouse. Menasha’s first school was taught primarily by Miss Hettie Frost, who tutored each pupil privately. The cost of such an education was one shilling per week, which equates to roughly $1 per week today (2024). However, in 1851, to accommodate the demand for education, the first formal schoolhouse was built. A similar schoolhouse was erected a few years later to house the rising population of students. By 1853, the district was home to three school buildings, which were inhabited by a total of 243 students. Soon after, in 1857, the first high school was constructed. More information on the building can be found here. By 1879, the city housed six schools, including the denominational, and only around 32% of students attended a public school. In 1894, the district facilitated an expansion with the construction of the stately Third Ward school, pictured below.
Third Ward school, 1894. Image courtesy of the Menasha Historical Society.
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The Third Ward school had only a singular teacher for some time: Miss Amy Grandine. However, the school soon progressed rapidly in population, which – to the delight of the children – justified the purchase of extra property in 1919, which became the base for a new playground. A few years back, in 1914, due to overcrowding, kindergarten classes were moved into two brick buildings on the corner of Tayco and Second streets, which were known collectively as the Second Ward School.
The Second Ward School. Image courtesy of the Menasha Historical Society.
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A picture of the second grade class of the Second Ward school with teacher Delia Heckle. Also pictured, but not clearly identified, are Maymi Moore, Edna Robertson and Della Fieweger. Image courtesy of the Menasha Public Library.
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In 1891, around 30 years after the construction of the Third Ward school, the Fifth Ward school opened for classes, as pictured below.
The Fifth Ward School, 1891. Image courtesy of the Menasha Historical Society.
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The Fifth Ward School was built on the 700 block of Second Street at the cost of $10,000, which equates to around $344,558 in modern currency. At the time the school was built, it was known as the Fourth Ward School, but had since been redistricted into the Fifth Ward. The building had four classrooms on each floor. Kindergarten and first grade classes spent their time primarily on the first floor, while the upper grades inhabited the second floor. Around 1920, the school’s basement was fully remodeled and equipped with modern amenities. Unfortunately, a few years later, the west portion of the building was damaged by a fire. However, it was swiftly repaired and gave the district occasion to redecorate the entire school.
Seventh grade class from the Fourth Ward School, located on the 700 block of First Street. This picture was taken at the back of the school. Image courtesy of the Menasha Public Library.
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Between 1927 and 1928, the district facilitated an even greater expansion of their public schools. In 1927, Nicolet elementary school was constructed, closely followed by Butte Des Morts.
Nicolet Elementary School. Image courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society.
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Butte des Morts Elementary School, 1928.
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Soon after, in 1933, Jefferson school was built as a replacement for the overcrowded Fifth Ward school, which was demolished shortly after construction was completed. The new school acquired its name through a vote by the schoolchildren, as during the 1920’s, it was popular to name schools after former Presidents. Jefferson was designed by the architectural firm of Faeller, Shaker & Berner of Green Bay in the Tudor-Gothic and Elizabethan styles, which distinguishes the school from any other in the district. The beautiful classrooms were designed by the architectural expert Dr. N. L. Engelhardt of Columbia University. One classroom was designed as a fresh air room for children recovering from tuberculosis, while another had a functional fireplace and a gabled two-story wall at one end.
Around 30 years later, in 1958, Clovis Grove elementary school was constructed. Soon after, in 1963, another elementary school – Gegan – was added to the district. In 1970, Maplewood middle school was constructed.
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Matthew Zimmerman Chris VanderHeyden Robert Kobylski Rick Carlson Keith Fuchs J. Michael Thompson William J. Decker John W. Stofflet Allen D. Osterndorf Marvin J. Gegan F.B. Younger J.E. Kitowski O.H Plenzke John Callahan
2023-present 2013-2023 2010-2013 2009-2010 2005-2009 1995-2005 1985-1995 1975-1985 1969-1975 1944-1969 1935-1944 1926-1935 1918-1926 1901-1918
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