[3] During the early 20th century, there was a nationwide movement across rural communities to provide new, larger school facilities with modern heating, lighting, and amenities, in an effort to enrich the quality of student learning.

These guidelines set minimum space requirements and the mandatory installation of proper heating, ventilation, lighting, water, and other utilities; and regulated the placement of windows, doors, and fire escapes, among others.

the This issue of outdated facilities could no longer be ignored when Sturgis school enrollment steadily began to approach the city's capacity in the 1930s.

[5] On August 16, 2000, the school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural design and educational history.

[4] The school was designed by Perkins & McWayne, Sioux Falls architects, and built by H. H. Hackett, Rapid City contractor.