The Red Lake District High School had its beginnings in 1930 in a log building situated at the present Green Airways. At this time there were eleven students with G.B. Collier as teacher.
In 1931 a one room wooden structure was erected on the present elementary school grounds, for thirty pupils. By 1934 two more additions were added that allowed for elementary and high school grades. Special permission was received to change the status of the school to a Grade C Continuation School, to allow for high school grades. Mr. George Thompson was hired for this purpose in October 1934. The enrollment for forms I, II, III, (grades 9, 10, 11) consisted of Alex Kostynuk, Harry Ashford, Leo Desmeulles, Rino Fabbro, Billy (Ethyl) Sullivan, Ruth Sullivan, Diane Loranger, Audrey Ostrum, & Marjory Williams. The enrollment in 1935 - 1936 was increased by two and consisted of: Alex Kostynuk, George Aiken, Harry Ashford, Rino Fabbro, Diane Loranger, Marjory Williams, Betty Browne, Agnes Futterer, Shayle Kert, Jean Sullivan, and Agnes Senkiw. The teacher in charge at that time was Dalton F. Jordan. The three teachers employed (Mr. Jordan, Mr. Cawley, and Miss Smith) were paid $1500, $1300 and $1200 respectively.
An old school journal records a Christmas concert in 1935 that began shortly after 2:00 P.M. with Christmas carols, recitals, and short plays. Thanks were given to Mr. Jordan, Mr. Cawley, to Mr. Downing (who helped with the gifts) and to Mrs. Sullivan and Mr. Tosh who helped with dances and music. The journal also records that at this time Mrs. Jenkins, wife of the manager ("Monty") of the Cabin Theatre died on Christmas day. New Years Eve was celebrated at the new hall (next to the present P &M What Not Shop) by nearly 200 people.
Until this time the school was funded by donations. After 1937 the Howey Mine and other businesses in town deducted $1.00 a month from each employee.
In 1937 the grounds of the elementary school was the scene of an
reenactment of the coronation of King George VI, with Grant Bonnycastle playing the part of the king.
With the addition of the fourth form (grade 12), it became necessary to build a separate continuation school. In the fall of 1938 the following students were enrolled in a two story four room wooden structure: Grant Bonnycastle, Rino Fabbro Donald Kidd, Jack Beck, Andy Chomick, Mike Kostynuk, Jean Sullivan, Frances Goodison, Jean McKenna, Emma Olajos and Mary Pletti. Ronald Whitely was the teacher in charge.
In June 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Canada, stopping in Sioux Lookout. Because of this planned stop, a scow train was fitted out for the 125 children of Red Lake, and traveled down the waterways to Sioux Lookout. Although they endured a very rough trip and had to gain their "land legs" again, they found it had been worth it when they were placed in the front rows of the crowds of children from other areas who had also arrived to receive the King and Queen.
Enrollment continued to increase with the influx of students for the high school grades, from MacKenzie and Madsen in the late 1940's. It became necessary to from a separate school board in September 1944, composed of the chairmen of the Red Lake, Madsen, and MacKenzie Island boards: John Gustafson, E.G. Crayston, and George Kidd. It was agreed that each area would be responsible for 1/3 of the costs of the school, and in 1945 the Continuation School formally separated from the Red Lake Elementary School. In 1946 the trustees of the school were already discussing the possibility of a new school on the site.
In the fall of 1948 inspector J.R. Morgan recommended a Home Economics room in the Steelox building; a science lab in the lower floor of the Continuation School once the elementary grades moved out; commercial options, and expenditures of $1.00 per pupil for library books. It was becoming evident that a new school would soon have to be erected somewhere. In 1949 application was made to the Dept. of Education to form a new High School District.
The enrollment continued to increase with more students coming from the original 3 areas and an additional one - Balmertown. Until the road to Cochenour was constructed, students traveled by various means to Red Lake, (e.g.) boat, van, Bombardier, snow-plane; and stayed over with friends during freeze-up and break-up that often lasted for three weeks. George Campbell and his wife A. Helena Campbell were employed during these "boom" years in Red Lake from 1944 - 1949.
The enrollment grew from 24 in 1945 to 60 in 1950. L. Hammel Cooke was employed as principal for the years 1949 - 1951. Many will remember his stage production, which was written, produced, directed, and acted by him, in the Rainbow Lanes. Also employed were Miss Moffat and Mr. R. Pyle. In 1950 - 51 Mrs. Shirley Fahlgren (nee Barton) was hired for languages and Physical Education. Her resignation in December, introduced the students to the interesting and curious situation of a retired Toronto teacher who continually lost the location of the school, and when found, conducted the same language lesson throughout her brief stay in Red Lake. Mr. G. Coons replaced her and his duties began Feb. 1, 1951.
The school became a grade "A" Continuation School with the addition of a third teacher and grade 13. On March 1,1950 a High School District was formed, embracing the four school districts. The board consisted of 6 members - one from each board and 2 appointed by the Mine managers of the district. They were: A.O.T. Bartlett, (secretary) E. W. Duncan (chairman), L. Hanford, L. Van Loon, J.E.J Fahlgren, and E.G. Crayston.
The Board applied in Dec. 1950 to the Dept. of Education for permission to build a new high School of 5 classroom, a science room and gymnasium. The Howey Mine agreed to donate land and three claims along the highway, which subsequently became the site of the present High School. Credit must be given to Mr. Crayston (Superintendent, Madsen Gold mines) past chairman of the Madsen School Board, who obtained an Order-in-Council, creating a High School District, and Mr. J.E.J. Fahlgren who arranged the financing of the school, through a $210,000 at 4% with the Imperial Bank of Canada, when debentures were not possible. The High School assessment was based on the property assessment. The amounts assessed were: Balmertown $9,294; Red Lake; $1,381, $1,380; Madsen $7,943 (Madsen Board Minutes)
Mr. T.A. Miller was employed as French teacher in 1951 with R. Pyle and G. Coons. Enrollment had risen to 81 by Sept.1951, when there were 3 grade 13 students. It was found necessary to rent one of the rooms in the Steelox building for the overflow - a building that had been erected for the overflow from the elementary school.
During the school year of 1950 - 1951 in preparation for the move to the new district high school, the students were involved in developing a new school crest and motto. Kenneth Kay designed the present crest: a mine headframe fronted by a maple leaf and lamp of learning. The school colours were chosen for the connection to the area's name and source of wealth - Red and Gold. the school motto found along the bottom of the crest read in latin: Doctior fieri studeo (We study to become more learned). At the same time the students worked on a constitution for the students' council.
March 1952 the Canadian Leagion introduced the JOHN CLARKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP of $100 "to a graduate of grade 12 on the basis of scholastic standing, leadership and interest in extra-curricular activities, and who plans to "continue studies at a recognized school, technical institute or university." this was the first of the High School scholarships which are now available.
The new Red Lake District High School was officially opened in October 10, 1952, the cerimony being held in the gymnasium. in 1954 the board discussed the construction of a principals residence at the south end of the school grounds and issued debentures of $15,000 to defray the cost of the building. Rent was decided at $60 beginning Jan. 1 1955; the tenant responsible for heat and electricity.
The 50's and 60's continued to see more construction and changes. There was in 1957 and additional 3 classrooms for commercial subjects, and a library clasroom to balance the one large typing room. The basement area was to become the future lunchroom. This was at the cost of $75,616. Population and enrollment increases made it necessary to enlarge the School Board. In January 1959, to ten members from six. 3 from Red lake: J.L. McEwen, J.S. Dunn, H.W. Hughes; 3 from Balmertown: G. Bremner, H.A. McEwen, J.E.J. Fahlgren; 1 from Madsen; L.H. Van Loon; 1 from MacKenzie Island: G. Kidd; and 2 mine Managers: J. Chisholm and P.S. McCarthy. Another addition of two stories was made at the north end in 1963 for $111,861, consisting of 4 classrooms, a healthroom, additional washrooms (girls and boys),a separate heating unit, and a caretakers room.
Further additions were made in 1965 at the south end of the school ($137,528): the Industrial Arts and Home Ecconomics rooms and 2 shop areas for the girls and boys of the Occupations course. Meanwhile another residence was constructed at the north area of the schoolgrounds by the Madsen Gold Mine, as a teacher residence. Balmertown provided homes for rent. Housing was a problem for teachers, and the board hoped to encourage teachers to stay by providing some of the acommodations needed.
The board found it necessary, by 1966 to have a full time business administrator and secretary-treasurer, and to this end hired Mr. Fred Shushack. The High School enrollment at this time was 396: Red Lake 164; Madsen 41; McKenzie Island 33; Cochenour 47; Balmertown 67; and Ear Falls 44. Four more classrooms were again added at the north end of the school in 1967 at the cost of $120,000.
In Jan. 1969 the Red Lake Board of Education came into existence made up of elected members who held office for two years. the first elected members were A.G. Gouriluk, Chairman (Red Lake); S. Green, vice chairman (Cochenour); L.H. Van Loon (Madsen); S. Kutcher (McKenzie Island); K. M. Tingley (Red Lake); Rev. J. C. Smith (Balmertown); D.H. Eady (Ear Falls); and J.C. Bloom (St. John's Separate School). This board became responsible for the elementary and secondary education of the whole of the Red Lake and Ear Falls areas.
The next addition to the school was in 1975. this was the present double gym and three science rooms. At the same time renovations were made that resulted in a library (the old gym), staff room (library classroom), Brite Vue (the old science rooms) and the Outdoor Education room. Total cost of this enterprise was $1,213,000. this addition had been in the planning stage for years and several earlier plans had been scrapped before this addition had been decided. It was through the tireless efforts of Mr. S. Green, Board Chairman and chairman of the Building Committee, and his committee in 1973: A.G. Gouriluk, R.P. Molloy, D.M. Whitehead, J. Loman, that we now have a larger library, better equipped science rooms, and a gymnasium that we can be proud to compete in, against any team in Ontario.
The school has grown over the past 50 years from a one room, one teacher school of 11 students to one of 19 rooms, a gymnasium and library.