History:
Rushville High School was opened in 1849 as a private high school, supported by private funds and controlled by the Presbyterian Church. Teaching was “designed to give instructions in the higher grades of learning.” This learning took place in the basement of the old Presbyterian Church on West First Street. On September 5, 1853, Rushville High School was opened as a free public school at Third and Julian Streets. Public school in Rushville was canceled during 1856-1859. In 1867, free education was reestablished for the community in a new building on the present Graham School site. Named for the first superintendent, David Graham, this building was erected for $16,650; it was destroyed by fire in 1906. Classes were held in the Court House, a Christian Church, and a private home until the building was restored in 1907. On January 27, 1958, high school students moved into a new building on Park Boulevard. This building was built by the Board of School Trustees and the Rushville School Building Corporation for a total cost of $1,343,388. Rushville High School was consolidated with the other high schools in Rush County beginning with the school year 1968-69 resulting in the new name for the school, Rushville Consolidated High School. A major addition to the building was completed at this time. A new science wing, a media center complex, and a business area added more opportunities for students to learn. In the summer of 1997, building asbestos removal began in order to make way for major renovation of the original building and the addition of 43,134 square feet of space. Classrooms were modernized, computer labs were added, and hallways were brightened with new lighting and ceilings. A new cafeteria was built, allowing for additional classrooms to be constructed in the former cafeteria area. Construction of a music wing, adjacent to the Laughlin Center for the Performing Arts, provided choir and band students ample space to practice and perform. Technology installations provided school networking, Internet, and computers for both students and faculty. Football facilities were updated on the existing site, a track and field complex was built north of Benjamin Rush Middle School, and a soccer field was added north of Rushville Elementary School. Bridge construction, landscaping, and added parking space rounded out the new look of RCHS as it headed toward the twenty-first century. Rushville Consolidated High School was granted membership in the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1909 and has maintained this membership. Our school continues to offer students a high-quality, traditional education. Today’s technological challenges will spur our educational leaders to provide consistent and appropriate learning opportunities for our country’s young people.
