Early School System

The current school system is called Schaller-Crestland
and includes students from Early, Schaller and Nemaha. The elementary and middle school classes meet in Schaller and the High School is in Early.

This is the Schaller-Crestland High School building at Early as it looks today.

Schaller-Crestland School

Early Public School History

Rural schools were here before the town of Early was built (no view available). These schools were located at two mile intervals so that no child would have more than two miles to go to school. In the Early area, the closest school was the one on the corner where Reis Bros.' station now stands. Shortly after the town was established, a new and larger school was established.

1909 School

This larger school was the first Early Public School building erected in 1883. Photo at right was taken around 1909. It was a two-story wooden building with two rooms on the first floor. When the attendance grew to 45 students the upper rooms were finished. It was located at the corner of Walnut and Third Streets.

By the turn of the century the community was faced with the need for a larger, better equipped school. In 1915, a consolidation with nearby districts was effected. In 1916, the board of directors called a bond election for $75,000 to build a new school. It was passed March 28, 1916. A contract for the building was awarded June 14, 1916, and work on the building started two weeks later.

The northwest corner of town was chosen as the site for the new brick building. The conerstone was laid October 24, 1916. The new building was opened for use in the 1917-18 school year with a Superintendent and teaching staff of 14. In the year 1919 adjoining properties were bought. With the removal of buildings from those lots the school grounds were substantially increased.

In May, 1951, a bond issue of $125,000 was approved for the construction of an addition to the school. This addition is a separate building housing offices, auditorium-gymnasium, a large music room, shop room, and dressing rooms for athletic teams. It was open for use in the 1952-53 school year. An enclosed hall connects the two buildings.

The original brick structure exploded in the evening of November 13, 1982 from a natural gas leak. Flames could be seen from miles around and all firetrucks from neighboring towns came to help fight the blaze which was feeding itself from the incoming gas. The gymnasium was spared major damage except for the hallway that connected it to the main building. Once the gas was shut off, the fire was able to be put out. School records were salvaged from a portion of the building that was still standing. No one was hurt in the explosion.

Classes were held in the Methodist church behind the destroyed building until a new building could be built.

Sacred Heart School History

Sacred Heart built a brick school in 1914 shown at left in the photo. The church (1899) in the center, and the rectory (1928) is at right.

This photo was taken around 1934. In 1939 the Sisters of St. Francis of Assissi from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, assumed the duties of teaching in the school.

During the school year 1942-43 the high school was closed with the students transferring to the public high school. It was reopened the following year with Sister Marie as Superior. Since those who had transferred did not return, the first group to be graduated received their diplomas in 1947.

Sacred Heart, Early, IA

A new school with spacious gymnasium was built in the 1950s. This building housed twelve grades through the 1966-67 school year. At that time the high school closed with the students having the option of transferring to the public school or to St. Mary's High School in Storm Lake. In 1990 the grade school also closed. This building is still being used for parish offices and can be rented for public functions.

Consolidation Information

In 1958, Early and Nemaha merged and the one school system was called Crestland Community School. Each school kept their own Kindergarten through 6th grade. 7th and 8th came to Nemaha and High School was at Early.

In 1989 partial grade sharing was arranged with Schaller with a full consolidation in 1993 where the school changed names from Crestland to Schaller-Crestland.

Today the Nemaha School has been torn down, the High School is at Early with the Grade School at Schaller.

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Updated 8/29/06 - Validated 3/20/06