Beginning with the original Pickwick “model school” to the present day Rountree Elementary, our neighborhood school has been a cornerstone of the community. As a joint project between the Springfield School Board and Normal School (now MSU) the original building called the Pickwick School was built for the Rountree area with intentions of being a leader in the area of education. It should be no surprise the school which opened in 1908, quickly ran out of room. In 1916, the school board voted to build a new school, which became N.M. Rountree that we now know and love. 

With a construction budget of $40,000 the building of N.M. Rountree, “Rountree” began. Due to delays the school officially opened around Christmas of 1917. The first fundraising campaign for seesaws, swing and sliding boards was held in 1920. The community raised over $1,200 by recycling newspaper and donations.  From a “model school” to certified International Baccalaureate Primary Years School, from recycling newspapers to Owlapalooza, the community has a long 100-year history of supporting Rountree.   Now, you can help celebrate a hundred years of Rountree by purchasing an engraved brick with your personal message to support an improved outdoor classroom and walkway project!