History of Coalton School

Coalton High School was founded sometime before the year 1927. During this period of time there was a general election to determine in which community the school was to be located. Within one year Coalton High School was a second class school with Mr. Woodward as principal. In 1930-31 our school had become a first class school. With a student body of seventy-five and ten students to graduate. Mr. Daniels became the principal at this time. All classes were conducted in the old grade school building.

The Randolph County Board of Education purchased the company store in Coalton and it was made into a high school. Classes began in the new school in 1934. This was the year Mr. R. W. Schoonover became principal and remained until Mr. Moyers became principal in 1939-40. Mr. Elmer Goddin became principal in 1940-41 school term and remained until his retirement in 1966. Coalton School became a six-year high school in 1942. At this time the enrollment was 153. The first addition to the new twelve year school building was the Industrial Arts and Home Economics building which opened in 1951-52. The rest of the building was completed for classes in the 1954-55 school term, the enrollment was 250 with a graduating class of 25.

Athletic events and graduations were held in the old gymnasium across the street until it was condemned in 1967. For the next nine years, students went without a gym. Basketball games were played in Beverly. In 1966-67 Mr. Gordon White became principal for one year followed by Mr. Theodore Kinkle for one year. In 1968-69 Mr. Edward Rinehart became principal for one year also. In 1970-71 Mr. Morris Wilmoth followed as principal for one year. Mr. George Broschart became principal in 1971. The Coalton baseball team was formed in 1972 and captured the state championship in 1985. In the school year of 1974-75 Winoma Spurgeon formed the first school band with 43 students in grades 5 through 11. The following year the Coalton Band and Choral Auxiliary was organized to support the new band and vocal classes. More rooms were built onto the existing structure which housed kindergarten through sixth grade. The Norton Elementary School was consolidated with Coalton Twelve Year School at the beginning of the 1979-80 school year. Mr. Robert Frazer was the Assistant Principal of the Elementary Department and Mr. George Broschart was Principal. In 1992-93 school year we had to bid farewell to our high school. Our school started as an elementary school and it was again an elementary school. Coalton High will never be forgotten by its school alumnus.

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