Old Time School

Old Time School

Letter to students and parents,

Each year, there are 5- one one-week sessions for students in grades 1-8.  Children must be over the age of six and have completed 1st grade.    The class size is 28 students for each session. The school day will run Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Our school day starts with the flag pledge, followed by reading outdoors, arithmetic, spelling, history, science, crafts, and lastly, practicing plays and poems.  Show and tell allows the students to bring items, such as old pictures and wooden tools, which will engage our students in learning history.  Thursday is cabin day, with students making pancakes and hand-churned butter with plenty of maple syrup!   A hand-washing station will be outside for use during the day. There are restrooms (outdoor toilets) on-site as well. 

Students should bring an “old-fashioned” lunch and use wax paper or fabric to hold the food items. Please use a Mason jar with water or lemonade for drinking and a washcloth that can be used for drying after washing.   Students are encouraged to wear “old-fashioned” skirts, dresses, pants, and shirts.  Area thrift stores have a good variety of items for sale.  Tennis shoes, boots, and regular shoes are fine, as the students will be playing outdoors. 

On Friday, the students will participate in outdoor games that start at 10:30 and an 11:00 program. Following the program, students will have a family picnic (this is not a potluck).

Students who have graduated from WRS are eligible to apply for a position as a teacher assistant. Please contact  Kay Rodrigue, who will coordinate the TAs. Kay Rodrigue WRS Teacher 763-280-1245 westriversideschool@gmail.com

  A Brief History of The West Riverside School

By Sam Klocksien

The West Riverside School is one of the original 67 country schools that dotted the rural landscape of Isanti County. Situated less than two miles outside of Cambridge, Minnesota, District #38, as it was also known, was organized in 1882 and served students of the surrounding area until its closure in 1971. The current brick structure was built in 1898 from bricks sourced from the nearby Springvale Brickyard, which sat on the banks of Rum River, just a short distance from the school.

In addition to its duties as a school, West Riverside also served as a community center for various social events like political gatherings, church meetings, farmers’ club meetings, home talent plays, and, of course, the school’s Christmas program.

In an effort to modernize education in the rural areas, consolidation and closure of the country schools began around the state in the 1950s. And by 1971, a state mandate passed, further solidifying the end of the country schools. By this time, there were only three in operation throughout Isanti County; West Riverside was one of them. Upon its closure, like many of the county schools, it would not be long before it would succumb to the wrecking ball. In a concerted effort made up of local citizens, many of whom attend the school as children, a petition resulting in over 900 signatures released the property and school to the Isanti County Historical Society. Due to the school’s unique architecture and condition, the West Riverside School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Not long after the change in ownership, the school once again opened its doors to local children; this time, however, it wasn’t used for the normal curriculum, but rather a unique program known as Old Time School. The program drew on the county’s rich cultural heritage with a special focus on historical programming for students who were interested in learning what school would have been like in 1900. The immensely popular summer program is currently gearing up for its 53rd season.

The West Riverside School stands proudly not only as a reminder of a bygone era but as a testament to a community’s commitment to honor its past.