Staples-Motley High School
| Staples-Motley High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
401 Centennial Drive , 56479 United States | |
| Information | |
| School type | Public |
| School district | Staples-Motley School District |
| NCES District ID | 2733900 |
| Superintendent | Shane Tappe |
| NCES School ID | 273390001644 |
| Principal | Debbie Ferdon |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Enrollment | 309 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 16.31 |
| Colors | Red and White |
| Mascot | Cardinal |
Staples-Motley High School (SMHS) is in Minnesota. It is in the Staples-Motley School District. The school is categorized as remote rural and has a 95 percent graduation rate. It is at 401 Centennial Drive.[1]
Cardinals are the school mascot and the school colors are red and white.[2] The school has won 31 state championships and has an athletic hall of fame.[3]
In 2025, about 90 percent of students were white, 4.4 percent hispanic and almost 4 percent "two or more races". Almost 40 percent of students were economically disadvantaged.[1]
History
In 1932, 150 out of 400 students at Staples High School went on strike to protest excessive corporal punishment by faculty members.[4]
Motley High School enrollment declined and by 1993 it had a graduating class of only 8 students.[5] The school was consolidated into Staples High School with Motley High becoming a middle school for grades 6 to 8.[6] In 2021 the school district was planning a referendum for school improvements after a failed 2019 referendum.[7][8] In 2024 the wrestling team won a state title.[9] In 2024 the school's football team played for a state championship two years after going 0-9.[10]
In 2024 the renovated gym opened.[11] Distance runner Audrey Brownwell was training to become the first Minnesota high school student to win a state championship in four distance running events.[12] Drew Potter is the football coach.[13]
Alumni
- Dick Bremer, sportscaster
- Dallas Sams, state legislator[14]
- Dave Joerger, basketball coach[15]
See also
References
- ^ a b https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/minnesota/districts/staples-motley-school-district/staples-motley-senior-high-school-11133
- ^ "Staples-Motley High School | Schools | MSHSL". www.mshsl.org.
- ^ "John's Journal: The Story of the 1971 State Wrestling Tournament | News | MSHSL". www.mshsl.org.
- ^ "Staples Students Strike Against 'Brutal' Faculty". The Fargo Forum, Daily Republican, and Moorhead Daily News. 1932-10-17. p. 1. Retrieved 2026-02-04.
- ^ "Motley grads like small school". The La Crosse Tribune. 1993-05-29. p. 7. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ^ "The Rural School Challenge, part 2: Motley-Staples". archive.mpr.org.
- ^ article, Theresa Bourke Share Share this (February 28, 2021). "Staples-Motley takes another stab at bond referendum with April 13 vote". Brainerd Dispatch.
- ^ [email protected], Zach Hacker (January 30, 2021). "Staples-Motley to ask for $64.4 million referendum". hometownsource.com.
- ^ "Staples-Motley's Renovated Wrestling Room Highlights Program History".
- ^ Purvis, Leon (November 18, 2024). "Staples-Motley football team returns to state championship after nearly 40 years". FOX 9.
- ^ "Staples-Motley High School Unveils New Gym".
- ^ "Staples-Motley's Audrey Brownell on Doorstep of MN Track & Field History".
- ^ Cox, Peter; Haecherl, Anna (November 22, 2024). "40-year underdog Staples-Motley High among 9 undefeated teams in Prep Bowl". MPR News.
- ^ "Sams, Dallas C. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov.
- ^ "Dave Joerger: Coaching Record, Awards". Basketball-Reference.com.