History

The Shenendehowa Central School District began as one- and two-room school houses and is now one of the largest central school districts in New York’s Capital Region.

The Shenendehowa Central School District was organized on January 14, 1950, by a vote of the residents of 21 former common school districts and one union-free school district.

These 22 schools, educating children in the towns of Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Malta, Waterford, Ballston and Stillwater (representing approximately 86 square miles), became officially centralized on July 1, 1950.

From 1950 through 1953, the district housed grades K-8 in 16 one-, two- and three-room school houses plus an eight-room school house in Round Lake. All high school students (gr. 9-12) were transported to one of four high schools: Ballston Spa, Mechanicville, Waterford or Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.

In 1951, the School District voted to purchase 160 acres to build an 1,800-pupil school for kindergarten through grade 12. This land was part of the Shenendahowe or Clifton Park Patent of 1708.

• Minutes from the original centralization vote
• Public Flyer for the Vote
• Ballot for the Vote
• Public Notice for the Vote

Alma Mater

Shenendehowa Central out on the plain so clear

Her Carillon bells are standing a symbol we hold dear

And through the years she’ll guide us and help us on our way

We never will forget her but with honor will repay

Alma Mater, Alma Mater

to thee we sing our praise

Shenendehowa Central

Our standard our guide always

Written by Shen band teacher William MacElroy and his wife, Shenendehowa librarian Elta MacElroy, in 1962