Four years after Ishpeming was incorporated as a village in 1869, a charter to form the school district was granted. Julius Ropes was called to direct a meeting to organize the school district. The first school house in the district was established at the Cleveland Mine. The school house was a single story building, but closed shortly after, in 1870. Many schools were established and failed in the years after mostly due to falling enrollments and lack of bus transportation

IHS, Phelps and Birchview photos: Taken by Alayna Foran

Historic Photos: Courtesy of Ishpeming High School Alumni

Then in 1874 the Division Street School was built at a cost of 38,000 dollars. This is the site of the current high school. It was said that the building was poorly constructed and teachers would complain about hauling coal to their room's individual coal stove. In 1908 the school was demolished to make room for a better planned high school. This new school was erected in 1908 but didn't last long when it was destroyed in a fire in 1930. Then in the following year the school was successfully rebuilt and now it is the same high school which stands today, along with new renovations and additions like the newest school gymnasium established in 1999 and a remodeled library in 2001.

 Ishpeming Public Schools:

Ishpeming High School                C.L. Phelps Middle School            Birchview Elementary