The city of Marshalltown has had four high schools. The first was destroyed by fire in 1893. The second was completed in 1898 and served as the high school until 1927. It then served as Central Junior High until 1964 when it became the Marshalltown Community College. This building was torn down during the summer of 1980, when a new college building was completed. In 1927, the third high school was completed, and it presently serves as Miller Middle School.
To accommodate the growth of Marshalltown’s student population, a new high school, our present building, was completed in 1965. The building includes three units: academic, cafeteria and service, and gymnasium. Since that time there have been four major additions to the high school complex. In 1979-80, an addition for art and music was completed and the MHS/Community Auditorium was completed in 1985. In 1988-89, the north courtyard was converted into a new media center and the former center was divided into seven classrooms. In the fall of 1999, a new weight room was built on the south side of the Roundhouse and connected to the Roundhouse by an enclosed corridor. The 1989-90 school year was the first as four-year high school for MHS.
Additional classrooms or “wings” were added in 2002 with a 2nd level to top them off in 2010. Through community contributions and matching district funds, a Roundhouse renovation was completed in 2015 to include a weight room built into the building with varsity locker rooms. Public art work, “Drills” by Gail Folwell, was installed as part of the renovation in 2017. Finally, Phase 2 of this renovation, an auxiliary basketball gym with wrestling practice room was completed in 2019. Air conditioning for the academic wing was added in 2022. Renovations and additions to the tennis court were completed in 2020 and included pickleball courts. In 2022, public art by Stephen T. Johnson, “Scherzo” is featured at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center. In 2023, state of the art athletic complex was completed featuring a stadium with artificial turf, new stadium seats, press box , track and digital scoreboard. Also in 2023, Marshalltown Community School District hosted its first state Esports competition in the B.A. Niblock-MCSD Welcome Center.
Marshalltown High School has grown tremendously since its early years. The first graduating class in 1873 had a membership of four as compared to over 500 in the Class of 1981. The school has a reputation of excellence throughout the state. Coordinators of MHS Class Reunions may contact the school to arrange a class tour among celebration activities. Students and families seeking more information about Marshalltown High School may call the main office at 641-754-1130.