History

Woodbine Normal School was founded by Harvey A. Kinney, C.C. Matter, and W.O. Riddell in 1887 to train teachers for the area’s rural schools.  W.N.S. was a combination public and private school.  The local district provided facilities and funding to educate local students. Much of the high school curriculum was focused on teacher training, while the elementary school provided a laboratory for the student teachers.  Students from outside the district paid tuition, which went to the founders.  Five of ten Woodbine teachers taught in the normal department.  School enrollment reached 200 by 1894 and approached 300 by 1905.  There were 30 graduates in 1906.

 

As other Iowa districts attempted to emulate the “Woodbine Plan,” the state started to inspect all the private normal schools.  In 1903 Woodbine passed the state inspection and so became approved.  In 1904 all 13 normal graduates passed the state licensing exam.  That year W.N.S. also added a summer session to benefit teachers wanting additional training.  

 

In addition to college prep and normal curricula, W.N.S. added a business department which taught actual business in addition to shorthand.  It later added manual training and domestic science departments. In 1913 the school made national news when female students made their own graduation gowns.  Later an agriculture department was added.

 

Students had the extracurricular activities common to most schools at the time.  There was an Erothesian Literary Society to train students for public speaking.  In 1902 all eleven graduates spoke at commencement.  There was an annual oratorical contest and a debate team.   At commencement a school chorus and smaller vocal ensembles performed.  There were school picnics, receptions, and banquets.

 

By the end of World War I enrollment had fallen in the normal school to the point that it was no longer the focus of the high school.  At that time newspaper coverage became limited to alumni news.  The high school continues today.