Rexburg was settled in 1883 by Mormons emigrating from Utah. Mormon children were taught in private homes and when public schools began they were also taught in the homes of people whose owners were unfriendly towards the Mormons. All high school work, however, was done at Ricks Academy and later at Ricks College. Those who did not want to attend high school at the academy could send their students to high schools outside of Rexburg.
National economic depression caused uncertainty in the Church’s efforts to keep the Academy open. The uncertainty caused the people of Rexburg to support a public high school. In 1923 a bond was passed to build a sixteen room, red brick building on the northwest corner of Main Street and First West at the cost of $90,000.
In 1927 there were 80 students in the sophomore class and 111 in the freshman class. Junior and Seniors still went to the Ricks Academy. The first graduating class of Madison High School was in 1930. This year was also noted for Madison playing its first football games; winning two, tying two, and losing three games. More importantly, this was the year that Madison’s Conley Watts invented the one hand shot in basketball which was soon adopted all over the world. With Watts leading, the basketball team won their first Idaho State Championship.
In 1955 the Freshman class stayed in the red brick building as it became Madison Junior High. The three upper classes moved during Christmas break into the two new grey brick buildings across the street to the east. One two-story building which ran east and west was for classrooms. The other one was a gym to the south bordering on Main Street with a few classrooms. The gym was built upon the foundation of what was to be an armory building that was started during the Great Depression.
In 1960 the two buildings were connected with a structure featuring classrooms and office space. No longer did students need to face the weather as they left the classroom building to go to the gym or the cafeteria, which was located in a lower part of the gym building. In 1963 an Industrial Art wing was added to the existing structures.
In 1966 the first proposed consolidation of the Sugar City and Madison School districts was considered. The proposal was passed by Madison patrons but defeated by Sugar City patrons.
In 1973 a new high school was built on the east side of town on the northeast side of First North and Third East. To allow for the biggest building possible with the available bond monies, the interior classrooms did not have walls between them, but for several years had room dividers that did not reach the ceiling. The grey brick building, the former High School, became the Junior High School, and the red brick building became a grade school and was named Washington School.
Two weeks after the Class of 1976 graduated, the Teton Dam burst and the ensuing flood devastated the town of Rexburg. The High School sustained damage to the gym floor, the office areas, and the shop areas. Later, a water tanker lost its brakes on the hill above the school and rolled down colliding with the school on the east side of the building. The tank burst causing considerable damage to the library and several classrooms. School was delayed in the fall until after potato harvest.
Madison High school has always been on the top of innovative ideas, some of which were adopted and some not. In 1986 a new scheduling program was adopted to help students keep up with state requirements. The school changed from a two semester system to a three semester system called the Trimester. It changed the schedule from seven classes a day to five and extended the time in each class.
In 1988 a second gym was added on the north side of the building. More classrooms were added on the south side of the building and a sports facility was added south west of the football field. Other additions were the tennis courts and the large field that could accommodate soccer and softball.
In 1994 and alternative high school was begun in the Washington school to lighten the load on Madison High School. In 1995 it was named Central High School. In 1996 this school was moved to the former Army Reserve Building east of the Ricks College campus on Second East and Fourth South.
Continued growth in the community of Rexburg brought about the need for a new high school. Last was purchased west of the south entrance to Rexburg from Highway 20. In the fall of 2010 the students moved into this large campus.
Madison High School students have always excelled in academics with hundreds of thousands of dollars being awarded each year in scholarships. An exceptionally high percentage of students go on to pursue higher degrees. The student body also excels in activities evidenced by a gym filled with State Championship Flags and a trophy case filled with awards in music, debate, and other activities. A testament to the leadership of the students at Madison is the many sportsmanship awards earned over the years.
A supportive community with a dedicated staff and faculty are the heart of what makes Madison High School students outstanding in the education community.
National economic depression caused uncertainty in the Church’s efforts to keep the Academy open. The uncertainty caused the people of Rexburg to support a public high school. In 1923 a bond was passed to build a sixteen room, red brick building on the northwest corner of Main Street and First West at the cost of $90,000.
In 1927 there were 80 students in the sophomore class and 111 in the freshman class. Junior and Seniors still went to the Ricks Academy. The first graduating class of Madison High School was in 1930. This year was also noted for Madison playing its first football games; winning two, tying two, and losing three games. More importantly, this was the year that Madison’s Conley Watts invented the one hand shot in basketball which was soon adopted all over the world. With Watts leading, the basketball team won their first Idaho State Championship.
In 1955 the Freshman class stayed in the red brick building as it became Madison Junior High. The three upper classes moved during Christmas break into the two new grey brick buildings across the street to the east. One two-story building which ran east and west was for classrooms. The other one was a gym to the south bordering on Main Street with a few classrooms. The gym was built upon the foundation of what was to be an armory building that was started during the Great Depression.
In 1960 the two buildings were connected with a structure featuring classrooms and office space. No longer did students need to face the weather as they left the classroom building to go to the gym or the cafeteria, which was located in a lower part of the gym building. In 1963 an Industrial Art wing was added to the existing structures.
In 1966 the first proposed consolidation of the Sugar City and Madison School districts was considered. The proposal was passed by Madison patrons but defeated by Sugar City patrons.
In 1973 a new high school was built on the east side of town on the northeast side of First North and Third East. To allow for the biggest building possible with the available bond monies, the interior classrooms did not have walls between them, but for several years had room dividers that did not reach the ceiling. The grey brick building, the former High School, became the Junior High School, and the red brick building became a grade school and was named Washington School.
Two weeks after the Class of 1976 graduated, the Teton Dam burst and the ensuing flood devastated the town of Rexburg. The High School sustained damage to the gym floor, the office areas, and the shop areas. Later, a water tanker lost its brakes on the hill above the school and rolled down colliding with the school on the east side of the building. The tank burst causing considerable damage to the library and several classrooms. School was delayed in the fall until after potato harvest.
Madison High school has always been on the top of innovative ideas, some of which were adopted and some not. In 1986 a new scheduling program was adopted to help students keep up with state requirements. The school changed from a two semester system to a three semester system called the Trimester. It changed the schedule from seven classes a day to five and extended the time in each class.
In 1988 a second gym was added on the north side of the building. More classrooms were added on the south side of the building and a sports facility was added south west of the football field. Other additions were the tennis courts and the large field that could accommodate soccer and softball.
In 1994 and alternative high school was begun in the Washington school to lighten the load on Madison High School. In 1995 it was named Central High School. In 1996 this school was moved to the former Army Reserve Building east of the Ricks College campus on Second East and Fourth South.
Continued growth in the community of Rexburg brought about the need for a new high school. Last was purchased west of the south entrance to Rexburg from Highway 20. In the fall of 2010 the students moved into this large campus.
Madison High School students have always excelled in academics with hundreds of thousands of dollars being awarded each year in scholarships. An exceptionally high percentage of students go on to pursue higher degrees. The student body also excels in activities evidenced by a gym filled with State Championship Flags and a trophy case filled with awards in music, debate, and other activities. A testament to the leadership of the students at Madison is the many sportsmanship awards earned over the years.
A supportive community with a dedicated staff and faculty are the heart of what makes Madison High School students outstanding in the education community.