The first consolidation of schools in rural Manitoba took place in 1905, at Virden and Holland. Subsequently, the number of consolidations occurring annually increased, as shown by statistics compiled by the Manitoba Department of Education [2].
Year
Schools Districts [3]
1905
...
1909
Brickburn (Gilbert Plains), Brigdenley, Dauphin, Elphinstone, Melita, Starbuck, Teulon
1910
Darlingford, Kelwood, St. Andrews, St. Patrick, Snowflake, Sperling, Warren
1911
Birtle, Goose Lake, Justice, Langruth, Moore Park, Rivers, Roseisle, Solsgirth, Waukeemo
1912
Decker, Elgin, Hamiota, Hazelridge, Lyleton, Manitou, McConnell, Shellmouth, Whitemouth
1913
Benito, Bield, Brant, Dominion City, Durban, Fairfax, Flora, Lundar, Makaroff, Merridale, Miniota, Oak Bluff, Palestine, Sanford, Strathclair, Tummel, Valley
1914
Alpine, Balmoral, Carroll, Kenton, Lenore, Rosenort, Stockton
1915
Bradwardine, Brookdale, Cameron, Cardale, Gunton, Ross, Rutherglen
1916
1917
Belmont, Berton, Manson, Miami, Newdale, Oak River, Plumas, St. James
1918
1919
Arden, Bethany, Dand, Deleau, Ebor, Glenholm, Grosse Isle, Harding, Kane, Myrtle, Rothesay, Wingham, Woodlands
1920
Brunkild, Lauder, Lavinia, McConnell, Mountainside, Pipestone, Stephenfield
1921
...
1935
Point Douglas
...
1950
East St. Paul
1951
Binscarth, Charleswood
1952
Clearwater-Cypress
1953
Domain
1954
Margaret, Raven Lake, Roland
1955
1956
1957
Dunrea, Fannystelle
1958
Broomhill, Crystal City, Cypress River, Kronsthal, Ridgeville, Rossburn, St. Jean Baptiste, St. Norbert, Waskada
1959
Altamont, Emerson, Glenboro, Holmfield, Kelsey, Lowe Farm, Mariapolis, McCreary, Medora, Napinka, Oakburn, Richard, Sandy Lake, Seven Oaks, St. Alphonse, Ste. Anne, St. Hyacinthe, St. Joachim, St. Lazare, St. Leon Village, Ste. Marie, Swan Lake, Treherne
1960
Baldur, Elie, Glenora, Happy Thought, Hartney, Inverness, Laurier, Lena, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Rosebank, St. Claude, Ste. Agathe, St. Francois Xavier, Ste. Rose du Lac, Souris
1961
Dandurand, Niverville, Rapid City, Ste. Elizabeth, St. Pierre, St. Vincent de Paul, Thornhill, Wawanesa
1962
Carberry, Cloverfield, Erickson, Fork River, Lac du Bonnet, LaRiviere, Macdonald, Minto, Nesbitt, Onanole, Otterburne, St. George
1963
Clandeboye, Dale Prospect, High Bluff, Morris, Ochre River, St. Eustache, St. Malo, Spruce Hills
1964
Arnaud, Buttrum, Dugald, Elkhorn, Ethelbert, Frontenac, Halbstadt, Makinak, Oak Bank, Pilot Mound, Reston, Rossendale
1965
Anola, Austin, Goodlands, Halton, Iles des Chenes, MacGregor, Morden, New Hope, Rosenfeld, Sprague
1966
Arborg, Brokenhead, Garson-Tyndall, Lorette, Pine River, Riverton, Sinclair
1967
Altona, Gladstone, Grandview, Gretna, Inglis, Oak Lake, Plum Coulee, Prairie Central, Russell
A Union School District was defined as one comprised of consolidated schools from two or more adjoining rural municipalities, or a rural municipality and an adjoining village or town.
By the end of December 1917, there were 74 consolidated school districts in Manitoba. The movement continued through the years, reaching its peak during the 1960s when the majority of one-room rural schools were closed and their students were bussed to larger, better-equipped schools in nearby towns.
See also:
Manitoba’s Rural School Designs
History in Manitoba Schools and Universities
Memorable Manitobans: School Inspectors of Manitoba
Events in Manitoba History: School Divisions Boundaries Commission (1958-1959)
Events in Manitoba History: School Divisions (1959)
1. Consolidation of Rural Schools in Manitoba: Special Report of the Department of Education for the Year 1912, Manitoba Legislative Library, Manitoba SpR 1912 Rural Schools.
2. Consolidation of Rural Schools in Manitoba: Special Report of the Department of Education for the Year Ending June 30, 1917, Manitoba Legislative Library, Manitoba SpR 1917 Rural Schools.
3. “Consolidated school movement has made progress in Manitoba”,Manitoba Free Press, 25 June 1912, page 22.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 27 August 2020
