Elysian's History

School District 23 was organized on June 9, 1894 with land tracts near Absarokee heading toward Billings. In 1901 the district lines were reorganized near where we sit today. In 1915 lines were broadened to consolidate certain areas of surrounding districts. One of the earliest school buildings was the two room school house pictured below. It was located on Laurel Road prior to the construction of Interstate 90 in the 1960s.

County documents report the construction of a new school consisting of 4-6 rooms and administration offices was built in the 60's after much discussion (sometimes lively) about where to move the building due to the construction of I-90. This 1960's building is our current north side of the middle school. The addition of the southeast wing and gym was completed in 1986.

In 2014 a massive remodel and addition was started on our school. We removed 3 modular classrooms from our property, purchased several acres, constructed a new elementary school and remodeled our old building to include the middle school. We held classes for the first time in this newly finished building on August 26, 2015.

If anyone has historical tidbits about our school including pictures, we would love to have a copy. Please contact the school office either by phone or email at heathergunsch@elysianschool.org . Thank you.

Elysian School circa 1907

Elysian School circa 1907 

(both photos are of the same building)
Early 1900 School Building

Elysian School circa 1907 

Closeup of 1986 front entrance

Closeup of 1986 front entrance 

(East side, current activity entrance by the gym)

Ora Cohagen, Teacher prior to her marriage in 1921

New Entrance 2015

New Entrance 2015