Our History
West End Elementary School was established in 1966 with the consolidation of Altoona and Walnut Grove High Schools. The elementary school was housed in the old Altoona High School building. Approximately 450 students attended the first year.
In January 1969, the elementary school burned. During the construction of the new school students attended classes in local churches and the recreation building in Altoona. Students were bused to a temporary lunchroom. The new school was built on a site of 40 acres located three and one half miles east of Altoona on Highway 132. The new building was opened to students in December 1970.
The original building was built on the open concept, which consisted of six classrooms and a lunchroom. Students were multi-age grouped. The school consisted of three units - Red unit- grades 1 and 2; White unit - grades 3 and 4; and Blue unit - grades 5 and 6.
In 1980, classes were self-contained, using portable dividers to separate classes. Most of the original open space classrooms housed three teachers and an entire grade level. A physical education building and a computer lab and storage with a small classroom space have also been built behind the main school building.
In 1987 a new wing consisting of five classrooms was added to the original building. A physical education building, a computer lab, a small classroom, and a storage room were built behind the main building.
In 1996, permanent walls were constructed to divide to the open space classrooms into individual classrooms. The large corner rooms also have a commons area for group activities.
In January 1969, the elementary school burned. During the construction of the new school students attended classes in local churches and the recreation building in Altoona. Students were bused to a temporary lunchroom. The new school was built on a site of 40 acres located three and one half miles east of Altoona on Highway 132. The new building was opened to students in December 1970.
The original building was built on the open concept, which consisted of six classrooms and a lunchroom. Students were multi-age grouped. The school consisted of three units - Red unit- grades 1 and 2; White unit - grades 3 and 4; and Blue unit - grades 5 and 6.
In 1980, classes were self-contained, using portable dividers to separate classes. Most of the original open space classrooms housed three teachers and an entire grade level. A physical education building and a computer lab and storage with a small classroom space have also been built behind the main school building.
In 1987 a new wing consisting of five classrooms was added to the original building. A physical education building, a computer lab, a small classroom, and a storage room were built behind the main building.
In 1996, permanent walls were constructed to divide to the open space classrooms into individual classrooms. The large corner rooms also have a commons area for group activities.
In 1997, a walking track and new playground was dedicated in Honor of Mr. O'Dell Lister.
In 2003, a new addition was built behind the main school building to house the ever increasing enrollment. In this wing there are four classrooms, teacher workroom, physical education office with a shower, a gymnasium, and restrooms.West End Elementary became a school-wide Title I school in the 1996-1997 school year.