The Village of Ottawa Hills grew so rapidly in the next few years that a new school building was needed.  In 1929, Lawrence Weaver became superintendent of the school, and under his guidance and that of School Board President Henry Middleton, construction of a brand new building began.  The new school included kindergarten through ninth grade and was dedicated on November 7, 1930.  It opened with an enrollment of 208 students and an updated curriculum featuring science, industrial arts, home economics, and physical education.

In June, 1937, the would-be seniors of 1942 graduated from the eighth grade at Ottawa Hills Elementary School.  Only one year of school in the Village of Ottawa Hills remained for those 28 students.  They were scheduled to spend the next three years at DeVilbiss High School, which was several miles away.  Thoughts of a high school for the Village occurred not only to the students but also to many of the citizens who were impressed by the outstanding accomplishments of the elementary school system.  Francis W. Brown had become superintendent in 1936, but it was the eighth graders who were the first to take action on proposing a new high school.

In the fall of 1937, which otherwise would have been their final year of school at Ottawa Hills (ninth grade), the students launched a spirited appeal to the Village board of education and to the voters with a giant bonfire.  On this occasion, the students presented a petition to the school board and emphasized again the Village’s need for its own high school.  Some of the students who led the rally were John Galbraith, Malcolm Crowther, Pete McNerney, Steve Belnap, Jean Ellingwood, and Anna Mary Chidester.

While Villagers’ interest was aroused by the students’ efforts, the idea caught on slowly.  The first bond issue was defeated in August of 1938 because it failed to poll the 65% majority vote.  In September of 1938, Ottawa Hills voters passed the $140,000 bond issue.  The money raised from the bond issue was added to a WPA grant of $126,000.  News of the bond issue victory set off a wild celebration in the Village.  Aided by more bonfires and a variety of noisemakers, the jubilant freshmen who had campaigned so earnestly from the beginning led a parade up and down the streets.  Construction began on the new high school, and the future seniors of 1942 spent their sophomore year crowded into Ottawa Hills Elementary School. 

The new high school was constructed with the consultation of Dr. Arthur B. Boehlman, a leading educational expert from The University of Michigan.  On April 25, 1939, the cornerstone was laid.  At the ceremony, Mr. J. B. Swartzbaugh, president of the Ottawa Hills Board of Education, placed photographs of students, along with stamps, coins, magazines, and a girl’s gym suit in a copper box which was sealed in the cornerstone.  The new high school opened in September of 1939 with an enrollment of approximately 200 students and a faculty of 11 teachers, under the direction of Superintendent Brown.

The high school building, described at that time as “one of the most modern in the United States,” was designed for peace and quiet as well as for safety and efficiency.  It included a library, gymnasium, music room, and radio studio.  The gymnasium facilities equaled the best in the state.

Since the initial construction, several additions have been completed on both buildings.  In 1949, a new wing was added to the crowded elementary school, increasing the space by 11,900 square feet.  In 1960, another 4,300 square foot addition was built.  Then, in 1991, an 18,000 square foot addition was built onto the school.  The addition included three classrooms, a new art and music room, a kitchen, gymnasium, locker rooms, and a community room.  Presently, the elementary school is 81,003 square feet located on ten acres.

In 1952, the present high school football field was established, and in 1954, the high school increased its square footage by 25,000 with a new addition.  In 1959, in memory of John D. Black, a former member of the Ottawa Hills school board, a $23,000 track was added around the football field.  Two additions were completed on the high school in 1961, increasing its size by 39,000 square feet.  Those additions featured a new, large auditorium with a theatre seating capacity of 600.  Presently, Ottawa Hills High School has 119,627 square feet of space located on ten acres of property.

In 1996, voters approved two bond issues totaling 3.79 mills to allow for new construction and renovations and extensive technology upgrades at each of the district’s school buildings.  The district spent approximately $5,900,000 to renovate current buildings; add a resource center (library/computer) and central offices at the elementary school; add three classrooms, a technology lab, and a science lab at the junior/senior high school; and renovate and expand the high school gymnasium.  An additional $836,000 was spent to upgrade the district’s computer capabilities.  Current plans include the renovation of hallways and classrooms in both buildings, replacement of the high school roof, improvement of campus security equipment, replacement of both parking lots, and improvements in technology during the next five years using permanent improvement levy funds.

During the 2006-2007 school year, 8 administrators, 85 teachers, and 34 support staff members served the educational needs of 984 students.  The elementary school enrollment was 518 students, the junior high school was 162, and the high school was 304.  The student body was made up of 11% minority students.  The 2006-2007 average teacher’s salary was $66,806, and the district operated on a $11,625,479 budget.