Stockbridge High School is one of the oldest schools in the state having been open for over 130 years. It has had a relatively small enrollment throughout its history, but those from the school say that’s what makes Stockbridge great.

The enrollment at the high school for the 2009-10 school year was 74 students, which featured a senior class of 20 students. While this is a considerable amount less than the schools surrounding Stockbridge, Administrator Dave Moscinski thinks that adds to one of the strengths of the school.

“Here we have personalized instruction and much more access to the teachers,” Moscinski said. “We also have a very dedicated and knowledgeable staff who hold our kids to the highest of academic standards.

The average GPA (grade point average) for the 2010 senior class was 3.5 and the students combined to earn more than $76,000 in scholarship money that is renewable for four years of college. In four years that would total more than $250,000. This could attest to Moscinski’s claim that it is simply a misconception that because you are small somehow you are less.

“Small can be priceless, just look at a diamond,” Moscinski said. “The kids here are tough like diamonds too.”

The classroom isn’t the only area where Stockbridge students have made a name for themselves. During the basketball season the girls’ team learned the Oostburg High School head coach was diagnosed with cancer. They decided to make a quilt for her and provided a get-well message. Numerous e-mails were sent to staff at Stockbridge talking about the class and sportsmanship the kids from Stockbridge showed.

Sportsmanship and respect for opponents is something, which is very important to the students at Stockbridge. Even with the low numbers of students, they still expect to compete. The school is now exploring the idea of going to eight-man football, which would be specifically for schools with low enrollment.

“When you don’t have as many students the odds would seem to be against you athletically,” Moscinski said. “However, we still expect to be competitive and I believe we have the coaches to bring out the best in the kids.”

Eric Olson, a 2003 graduate of Stockbridge High, thinks he got a quality education in his years at the school. He also thinks the small school atmosphere allowed him to have opportunities he might not have otherwise had in a bigger district.

“Stockbridge has a staff of great teachers who prepared me and all their students for success in college and in life,” Olson said. “I also had the opportunity to play soccer, basketball, and baseball while at Stockbridge. The small school environment allowed for more opportunities to see game action throughout high school.”

Olson also went on to mention how there is a true sense of community within the small school. He says students have a pride in attending a smaller school and feel as though they are just as well prepared for life beyond high school as someone in a larger district.

The school is important to people in the Stockbridge community and perhaps that is why every year at graduation they honor the 25-year, 50-year, and 75-year graduates with special diplomas. Also shown at the ceremony is a slideshow of the senior class, which usually includes everything from baby pictures to prom pictures.

One thing appears to be certain, and that is people from Stockbridge and those who went to school there take great pride in that fact. The school is special to the community and people who went there. It would be difficult to see that changing anytime soon.

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