Webster
School System
Webster, South Dakota
Historical Information
The roots of the educational system of Webster, SD, date back to spring 1882. Great minds saw the need for quality education when the first pioneer homesteaders came to Webster. Strong hands not only tilled the soil but built the first one-room structure.
L. G. Ochenreiter gives an accurate account of life on the prairie in his book History of Day County 1873-1926 which is the basis for the following information. The first private school was started in the spring of 1882. In the fall construction began for Webster's first public school. A year later, in the fall of 1883, school officially opened. Webster, the "city in the forest," was incorporated as a village in March 1885, and as a city in April 1895. A brick building was built for the grades in 1906. In 1920 the high school building was erected. In 1925 the building was completed at a cost of 250,000 dollars. The first principal, Prof. Wilson, did not finish the year as the boys played rough house with him and scared him out.
Ironically, in the 1920s Webster was a community of approximately 2,000 people with a high school population of 201 and grade school, 349. Today, the numbers are very similar.
The vocational wing, attached to high school, was built in 1955 and houses agricultural science, industrial arts, and home economic classes.
In the fall of 1974, the original grade school building saw its last first grade class. The next year, 1975, grades one through six moved into a new one-story elementary building. This building met the needs of the community's young people until the 1990s when the student population and expansion programs out grew the facility. With a financial gift from Gil Braun, a graduate of WHS, and matching funds from the community, a middle school was built in 1991. The original grade school/junior high building was torn down at a cost of 45,000-50,000 dollars; new, the building cost 35,000-40,000 dollars. The middle school is not only attached to the grade school but to the high school as well. Sixth grade classrooms, middle school classrooms, administrative offices, a computer lab, a science lab, and a distance learning classroom are housed here.
This facility was dedicated to Gil Braun for the education of our youth, the prosperity of our nation, and the future of all generations.
Webster High School has maintained continuous accreditation from the North Central Accreditation of High Schools since 1907. Many hands have helped shape the lives and expand the minds of those who have walked the hallowed halls.
Ochsenreiter, L.G., History of Day County 1873-1926. Mitchell, South Dakota: Educator Supply Company, 1926.
Current Information
Webster High School is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Webster School also is accredited Level I by the State of South Dakota. The school is noted for having a strong academic program.
There are 52 certified persons on the school faculty. Thirteen of these persons hold a Masters Degree in the field of education. Every teacher is required to have earned a minimum of the Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition, the staff is required to continually keep current with advancements in education.
Webster High School offers over fifty separate courses in the regular curriculum, and also participates in the Lake Region Vocational School which expands curriculum. Recently, our school has become involved in the North Central Area Interconnect along with seven other schools. Classes are taught via telecommunications. This allows students to take courses not currently offered at WHS.
Webster School prides itself in taking advantage of any and all current technology which would assist its students in having the ability to cope in a technological world. At present, the school system has five computer laboratories. The high school, middle school, and elementary school are furnished with networked, Compaq computers. All workstations have Internet access.
The school offers a balanced program of co-curricular activities, including music, athletics, speech, and journalism. Co-curricular activities have produced many district, regional, and state champions from the Webster School.
There are 188 accredited High Schools in the State of South Dakota. Webster High School's enrollment ranks 42nd in size.
Roughly one-half of the school's student population lives outside the incorporated limits of the City of Webster. Students outside the city limits of Webster are furnished school bus transportation on one of nine school bus routes. The total number of students of school age living in the school district is approximately 550.