For 67 years, Wilson Elementary School has stood as more than a school—it has been a cornerstone of the Hays community, a place where generations of children first discovered the joy of learning and the power of belonging.
Named in honor of President Woodrow Wilson, a recipient of the 1919 Nobel Peace Prize, the school carried forward a legacy that valued education, citizenship and the promise of a brighter future.
Within its halls, thousands of young minds learned to read their first books, solve their first problems and build friendships that would last a lifetime. The laughter in the classrooms, the encouragement of devoted teachers and the pride of families created a Warrior spirit that cannot be measured simply in years, but in the memories and lives shaped along the way.
The story of Wilson Elementary School began when a USD 489 school bond was passed in April 1958. The total cost to build our school was $295,000, and the original structure measured 22,700 square feet.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary had its grand opening in November 1959. When the school first opened its doors, it welcomed 175 students and 19 staff members, marking the beginning of a long meaningful chapter for the community. Wilson’s first principal was Robert Archer, who served until 1967 and helped guide the school through its earliest years.
Wilson Elementary has been led through the decades by dedicated principals who each helped shape its legacy: Bill Ison (1967-1979), Robert Arevalo (1979-1983), David Basinger (1983-2000), Thomas Meagher (2000-2016), and Anita Scheve (2016-2026). Under their leadership, Wilson continued to grow not just in size, but in tradition and community pride.
As the years passed and the community grew, so did the school. Additions were built in 1967, when the southeast section expanded to include rooms for library, music and art-spaces where creativity and curiosity flourished. In 1985, six new classrooms and a new circular library were added, giving generations of students a place to discover new stories and ideas.
Another classroom was added in 1991, and most recently, a secure front entrance was completed in 2024, reflecting in the school’s continued commitment to its students and families.
In 2009, Wilson celebrated its 50th anniversary — a time for former students, teachers and families to reflect on the many memories created within its walls.
The highest enrollment in the school’s history came in 2020, when 413 students filled its classrooms. That same year brought an unexpected moment in history, when school was dismissed for spring break and did not resume in person due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
In its final year, Wilson Elementary served 369 students and employed 57 full-time staff members, each contributing to the learning, support and care that defined the Wilson experience.
As Wilson Elementary closes and transitions to become Felten Elementary, its legacy does not end — it continues in the lives of every student who walked its hallways and every educator who poured their heart into its mission.
The memories made here, the traditions built, and the values instilled will be carried forward into the next chapter of our story.
Though the building may change and new chapters will begin, the heart of Wilson Elementary will continue. The spirit lives on in the lessons learned, the friendships made and the countless lives shaped within its walls.
The “Way of the Warrior” is not about the place, but the people who defined it—and that legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
“Remember—live each and every day the Wilson Warrior Way.”
Anita Scheve,
Wilson Elementary School principal