For 35 years, Central Elementary functioned as a school-within-a-school, offering two separate programs: a traditional graded and an alternative non-graded. In August 2003, Central became unified for the first time since 1968. The change was the first step in a plan that will continue to ensure an alternative form of education for elementary students in the Brookings School District.
After several months of planning by Central staff and interested parents, the Board of Education in April 2003 approved a proposal for unification of the school. Previously, parents had been able to choose whether to enroll their children in the traditional graded program or in the non-graded program, which allowed students to study Math and Reading at their own achievement levels.
Beginning August 2003, Central became a two-section school for Grades 1-5. It also continues to offer two half-day sections of Kindergarten and house the school district’s Elementary Social Skills program and Special Needs Preschool.
Central was constructed during the 1935-1936 school year. It was originally
constructed to serve students in grades three through eight. A new high school
was constructed in 1965. This allowed students of grades six, seven and eight
to move into the former high school building. Central then became a K-5 elementary
school.
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