High School

Newberry residents were also very proud of having a high school, a symbol of prosperity and intelligence.

The first “high school” was called the “Academic Room” and was part of a three-room schoolhouse. By 1905, the “High School” had expanded to three teachers in classrooms at the “John Street School.”

A new school building was built on Newberry Avenue in 1908. Initially it housed all the kids, but in 1912 the younger ones were booted out and the building became the Junior Senior High School.

But by 1927, a larger building was needed for the 350 junior-senior students, and a fine, new high school building was built next door. The old high school became the new grade school.

This school building was built in 1908. Originally it housed the entire school system, K-12, but within four years the younger children were moved out. This building served as the high school until 1927, whereupon it became the Grade School.
This postcard is undated, but I believe it to be the earliest of the three I have. It is labeled as “McMillan High School,” which is more than a bit misleading. Newberry High School certainly could be referred to as “McMillan Township High” since the Village of Newberry was (and is) located in McMillan Township. In practice, though, the school was never called anything but Newberry High. Moreover, the nearby village of McMillan (in Columbus Township) for many years its own high school room which was sometimes called McMillan High.
Another view of the 1927 High School, from around the same time. The trees look to be about the same size, but a street lamp has been added. Called “the jewel of the county,” this building was designed by Escanaba architect Gothard Arntzen, and is fine example of Upper Peninsula architecture.
Another view of the school, probably from around the 1930s.