The Legacy of Westlea School District 4356: A Journey Through Time

Nestled in the heart of Saskatchewan’s vast prairies, Westlea School District 4356 holds a place of great historical significance. The story of Westlea begins in February of 1918, when local residents held their first meeting to discuss the establishment of a new school. At the time, children in the area attended the nearby Headlands School, with many of them traveling as far as four to six miles to get there. It was clear that the growing community needed a school of its own.

After much deliberation, the north-east quarter of Section 33, Township 24, Range 14, West of the Second Meridian was chosen as the site for the new school near Dysart (NE 9-23-15 W2). This location, with its open fields and expansive horizons, became the heart of the Westlea community. The first step had been taken.

In the spring of 1919, just over a year after the initial meeting, classes officially began at Westlea School. But the road to establishing a school in the area wasn’t without its challenges. The school trustees worked closely with councillors from the Kelross Rural Municipality No. 217, which would eventually become the Rural Municipality of Lipton No. 217 in 1920. This collaboration between community leaders of neighbouring school districts MCDONALD HILLS and HEADLANDS and the ratepayers of the Rural Municipality was crucial in securing the resources needed to open the doors of the school.

By 1921, the Westlea Schoolhouse was officially opened under the guidance of Miss Whiteford. She became the first teacher to welcome students to the new building. The schoolhouse, though modest in design, was a beacon of education for the children of Westlea, McDonald Hills, and Headlands, with whom they had negotiated to form a shared educational district.

Throughout its years of operation, the school became a center of not only learning but also community life. For many, it was a gathering place where families came together for school events, local meetings, and even celebrations of the harvest. Over time, as the district’s children grew, so too did the school, adapting to the needs of the community.

The end of the school’s operation came in 1960, a quiet closing that marked the end of an era. The rural population had shifted, and the demands of the community had changed, leading to the consolidation of schools in the area. But the legacy of Westlea School, with its deep roots in the soil of Saskatchewan, continues to resonate through the stories of those who attended and the generations that followed.

Today, the site of Westlea School is a quiet reminder of a time when education was a vital part of prairie life. The memories of those early years live on in the hearts of former students, teachers, and residents.

The history of Westlea School District 4356 is a testament to the perseverance and dedication of a community determined to provide its children with an education. It reflects the spirit of early Saskatchewan settlers-resilient, hardworking, and deeply connected to the land. The story of Westlea is not just about a school; it’s about the people who helped shape this remarkable region and the legacy they left behind.

Story written by Julia Adamson, Sask Gen Web One Room Schoolhouse curator with information sent in by Lawrence George Richea Thank you kindly for the dates and people involved with this schoolhouse.