Staples-Motley High School
Public school in Staples, Minnesota, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Staples-Motley High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
401 Centennial Drive , 56479 United States 46°21′29″N 94°47′49″W | |
| 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 |
| Website | https://www.isd2170.org/middleandhigh |
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]