First a little history....
The District #12 School began in 1854 with the donation of the land by Maxon Smith and the erection of the schoolhouse shortly thereafter. The original schoolhouse was replaced in 1874 and added onto in 1896. A portable building was built in 1926.
In 1893, Willard G. Welker, a young man just graduated from Buffalo Normal, was hired to supervise and teach the grade school. He had a dream to better serve the boys and girls. He found it very difficult to convince the townsmen that their graded school was inadequate. He constantly worked on his idea and the graded school became a senior high school empowered to do a full four year course. The first graduating class was in 1895. Members were Jennie A. Burt, William D. Burt, Eldrett J. Merry and Harrietta M. Parker.
In December of of 1894, the New York State Education Department recognized it as an "academic department of a junior school". It continued a four year program until October of 1898 when it was recognized as a "Senior School". In March of 1906, the school began it's four year "high school" program. A "Primer" class was established in 1935 to focus on reading skills needed for a succesful education.
1937 - 1938 was the last year that this school was in existence and the district was centralized in 1938 by combining the districts of Dalton, Grove, Granger, Portage and Genesee Falls townships. The new school was dedicated in April 1939.
