Dell Rapids Public School

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Educational History

While the architectural foundation of many Dell Rapids homes is quartzite, the city’s rock-solid educational foundation was established in 1873. The first teacher—Juanita Alexander—taught the first lessons during a three-month term in a room rented in the Mann Residence at 7th and Dakota. In 1876, a wood-frame building was erected to serve 54 children at the site of the present elementary school. According to records, a terrible wind storm blew through town in 1884 and leveled the school house.

While a two-story “quartzite” school building, designed by the famous designer, Wallace Dow, was being built, interim classes were held at the Episcopal Hall on Main Street and in the Baptist Church. In 1905, a large, impressive front addition was constructed of stone by master stone cutters.  After serving the educational needs of the city for nearly a century, the building was razed in 1982 and a monument and plaque placed on the steps—a gift from the alumni.

A frame auditorium was built in 1914 for basketball games, school functions, classes, and public meetings.  Basketball involved girls as well as boys’ teams.  The last basketball was dribbled there in 1959.  A decade later the building was torn down when the new high school was built.

In 1890, five Dell Rapids students received their diplomas from Professor E. C. Sutton during the first commencement ceremonies.  They were Nellie Harrington, Guy Nehr, Zaida Richardson-Mallory, Amelia Hartman-Silkensen and Mabel Thorne. The centennial honoring that first graduation exercise was celebrated July 7th and 8th, 1990, at the fifth all-school reunion.  One-thousand alumni, family and friends participated in a weekend of activities, which included golf, a banquet, dance, an ecumenical church service and picnic. Graduates representing classes from 1915 to 1990 came from throughout the United States.

While the first school room in Dell Rapids was rented from a home-owner in 1873, nearly 80 years later, in 1950, the school board acquired the Dieson  home at 6th and State to provide four new classrooms. It was torn down in 1982 to make room for a Kindergarten addition.

Several educators have played key roles in shaping the Dell Rapids school system.  From 1907 to 1935, U.S. Earls served as school superintendent.  The title, “Superintendent Emeritus,” was conferred to Earls after 28 years of service.  Henry Speh (Spay) held the office from 1949 to 1968.  The junior-senior high school, which opened in 1970, is dedicated to his years of service.

The community’s progressive education system is reflected by its modern facilities and its efforts to meet the learning capacities of all students.

Since the 1950’s, the Dell Rapids High School Marching Band has received first in many national and international band competitions.

Parochial school education offers students yet another learning option in Dell Rapids.
Saint Mary Catholic School was dedicated by Bishop O’Gorman in 1910.  The school system has had the distinction of being the only South Dakota parochial school of 12 grades that’s entirely supported by one parish.

The elementary school began with 125 students.  One high school grade was added each year until the four-year level was attained.  The original school building housed private bedrooms for the Presentation Sisters and a dormitory for boarding students on the upper floor.  Classrooms for all grade-levels were held on the main floor.

In 1915, the first high school graduating class included Sedalia Capesius (Cah-pay-shus), Henry Collins, Grace Farrell, Leon Farrell, Irene Luken and Caroline and Gertrude Schaefer. In 1925, the Guardian Angel Statue was placed on the front lawn and dedicated to the children of the parish by their parents. Ground was broken by Monsignor P. P. Meyer for the new Saint Mary High School on April 5, 1957.  Classrooms were completed for use in September, 1958.