History of Blackie School

The first recorded history of the Blackie School was a petition in February of 1912, followed by a second petition in April of the same year. The petitions were sent to the Minister of Education requesting permission to form the Blackie School District. According to the Alberta Gazette, the Blackie School District #2823 was officially established on September 10, 1912. On April 1913 permission was granted to borrow $3500 for the purpose of establishing a fully equipped school.

Prior to this, the building used was approximately 15' x 25', and accommodated grades 1 to 8. The new two-room school was finished for the opening of school in September 1913. By the early 1920's room was scarce and the high school students were taught in the upstairs of the original Co-op building and then in the Masonic Hall. Even the Scout Hall built by the reserve army was used for a time.

The two-story brick school was built in 1925 and both schools were used. As enrollment grew due to busing, two more rooms were built onto the back of the brick school, then the Peele Coulee and Windsor Schools were moved into town. The Peele Coulee School was used for shop classes. The Blackie School became part of the Foothills School Division in 1945. In 1959 a new school was built and joined to the old two-storey brick school. The original 1913 schoolhouse was torn down. It had been used for 16 years. The two older schools were moved out in 1961 and Blackie now had one school.

The modernization project of 1985 is another milestone in the history of Blackie School.