Starting in 1899 students came from all parts of Southeast Missouri to make the total enrollment 69. Of these, 46 were from such out-of-town places as Dexter; Essex; New Madrid; Peebles, Ohio; Rayville, Illinois; Rector, Arkansas; Benton, Illinois; Bernie; Puxico; etc. The school was essentially a boarding school and in 1900, was one of three approved public high schools in Missouri, south of St. Louis and east of Springfield; Poplar Bluff and Bonne Terre being the other two.

The "commodious, well ventilated" new building proved to be faulty in construction. The high, gabled roof with its cupola and heavy timbers, was beginning to spread the walls of the building. In 1906, a Chicago architect was summoned and the building was promptly condemned. The high school then, temporarily, met at different places up town. Some classes were held in the Renner Building, a class was held in the rear of the Vindicator office, and some classes were held in a building which was located on the site of the present Ford Garage. By late fall, 1906, the third story auditorium had been torn down and four rooms were put there instead. A smaller and better roof had been put in place and the high school returned to its old quarters.

About 1914, a four room, brick, grade building was built behind the high school; and the old frame school building, built in 1886, was discontinued. In 1913, under the leadership of Miss Juanita Fink, the first "Blossom" was published. This practice was continued in 1914 and 1915 and then was dropped for 26 years. The present 1941 "Blossom" is the fourth annual of the high school.