The Emmetsburg Independent School District was established in 1880 with an enrollment of 100 students and 3 teachers. The South Elementary was built in 1884 (also know as Little Red). By 1885 the enrollment of the district was 219 students. In 1990, the West School building (also known as the Annex), was built. There was an East Side School building that was later remodeled in 1911. The school was in operation until 1930, when a new Junior High building was built. The cost of the school was $130,000. The new West Elementary building was built in 1953 for a total of $185,000. In 1954, Curlew consolidated with Emmetsburg to form the Emmetsburg Community School District. In 1955, an addition was built on to the existing South Elementary school. In 1959, an addition was added to West Elementary and the Annex was taken over by the Emmetsburg Community College. In 1966, Cylinder Consolidated School merged with Emmetsburg Community School District. In 1966, the district purchased 43 acres in the northwest part of the city. This became the new High School in 1969 and cost $1,175,810. For additional upgrades to our facilities, please see below.

STUDENTS: 

725 students, in a School District that includes Emmetsburg, Cylinder and Curlew.
Eleven percent (11.4%) of our students open enrolled into the district from other
surrounding communities in the county and from surrounding counties.

TEACHING STAFF:
61 teachers
15.5 average years of experience, 46% with Masters degrees, 1:12 student to teacher ratio

ACADEMICS:
West Elementary (3YO-4th Grade)-

• 3 Year Old Preschool,

• Statewide Voluntary 4 Year Old Preschool

• One of the Top 100 Elementary Schools in the state as noted in US News and Education Report (2023 & 2024)

Middle School (5th-8th Grade)-

• Middle school concept with daily PLC

• One of the Top 100 Middle Schools in the state as noted in US News and Education Report (2024)

High school (9th-12th Grade)

• 98% graduation rate

• Average of 14 college credits at graduation, career academy

• One of the Top 100 High Schools in the state as noted in US News and Education Report (2024)

• Emmetsburg Virtual Academy approved in June 2025

UPDATED FACILITIES:
2025: New concession stand project

2022-Baseball/Softball Complex renovation

2014 - Addition to Elementary building: office, entry, lunchroom, gym, kitchen, newly
remodeled library, addition of two classrooms
2009 - Middle school classrooms, gym, locker rooms
2009 - 620 seat auditorium,
2003 - Addition for kindergarten.
1994 - High school addition for wrestling room and weight room
Continuously updated sports facilities: all new weight room equipment, high school score
boards, indoor batting cage, indoor golf simulator, softball score board, all weather track update, softball and baseball irrigation systems and backstops, football goal posts.

OUTSTANDING EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAMS:
Sports:

• Volleyball

• Football

• Cross Country

• Basketball

• Wrestling

• Track

• Golf

• Baseball

• Softball

Fine Arts:

• Band

• Choir