History of Emmons Elementary School

Emmons Elementary School sits on 13 acres. Purchasing of the land began in 1921, under the direction of P.C. Emmons, and continued until all 13 acres were purchased in 1956. Construction began in January of 1957 and the school was named after Mr. Emmons in January of 1958. The new school had everything needed for grades K-8: classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium, library, science & art labs and an industrial arts section.

The elementary building added a little theatre, art and music rooms, open classrooms, a gym, nursery school and ninth grade in 1975.

In 1981, there were three junior high schools: Emmons, Beiger, and John Young. In that same year, due to a lack of enrollment, suggestions of only having two junior high schools, closing the third one, and moving ninth grade back to the high school were presented at a school board meeting. 

A junior high study committee, consisting of four to six teachers and four to six parents were to analyze and report their findings on whether Beiger or Emmons Junior High School should be retained. Emmons Junior High School parents began circulating petitions to retain their school as the junior high school kept with John Young Middle School.

Later in 1981, the school board voted to close Emmons Junior High School and to continue it as an elementary school only. Beiger School was chosen because of its location, indoor recreation, and cafeteria.

By the fall of 1983, ninth grade moved to Mishawaka High School and Emmons Junior High School closed, becoming a K-6 elementary school.