Our School History
1856 to present
Indian Diggings School District is one of the first districts in El Dorado County and the oldest in the State of California, having been organized in 1867. The district has only one school, Indian Diggings Elementary School, with kindergarten through eighth grade and has been running continuously since 1856. The original schoolhouse was built in the canyon at Cedar Creek off Indian Diggings Road nearly two miles away. There was no transportation for students; everyone walked. The school was closed for a three-month vacation every winter because of heavy snow, and so, was considered a “summer school”. It was attended until 1942 when a new school was built “up the hill” near the Wetsel-Oviatt lumber mill. That school burned down in 1959 and the present school was built on the same site. Enrollment declined drastically with the closing of the mill and the rising cost of gas making it hard for families to live and commute to jobs in Placerville, Amador County or even Sacramento County.
Indian Diggings School District is one of the first districts in El Dorado County and the oldest in the State of California, having been organized in 1867. The district has only one school, Indian Diggings Elementary School, with kindergarten through eighth grade and has been running continuously since 1856. The original schoolhouse was built in the canyon at Cedar Creek off Indian Diggings Road nearly two miles away. There was no transportation for students; everyone walked. The school was closed for a three-month vacation every winter because of heavy snow, and so, was considered a “summer school”. It was attended until 1942 when a new school was built “up the hill” near the Wetsel-Oviatt lumber mill. That school burned down in 1959 and the present school was built on the same site. Enrollment declined drastically with the closing of the mill and the rising cost of gas making it hard for families to live and commute to jobs in Placerville, Amador County or even Sacramento County.
Since 1990, current teaching/principal/superintendent, Rusty Vardy, has organized several projects to modernize the school grounds and facilities. What was once a small and outdated-building, Indian Diggings now presents itself with updated classrooms, half-court gymnasium, theater-style stage, kitchen, computer labs, library, modernized playground equipment, and more.
But, education at Indian Diggings goes beyond the classroom and facilities. Students learn to appreciate the history of the area and their ecologically abundant surroundings with extensive outdoor education. From day hikes, to backpacking trips, field projects and winter activities such as cross-country skiing expeditions, students at Indian Diggings School receive an education based on the “into-through-and beyond” philosophy. By literally “digging” deeper into the history and their surroundings, they grow-up understanding more about the world and their place in it.
But, education at Indian Diggings goes beyond the classroom and facilities. Students learn to appreciate the history of the area and their ecologically abundant surroundings with extensive outdoor education. From day hikes, to backpacking trips, field projects and winter activities such as cross-country skiing expeditions, students at Indian Diggings School receive an education based on the “into-through-and beyond” philosophy. By literally “digging” deeper into the history and their surroundings, they grow-up understanding more about the world and their place in it.
Present Day Indian Diggings School
Indian Diggings Elementary School in the Fall of 2001. In xxx year, the multi-purpose room was added on giving the school a gym area, kitchen and new bathroom facilities and storage.
Let it Snow!
At Indian Diggings, it does snow from time to time in the winter. We embrace the snow and use it as a teaching opportunity.
Our kids learn about water density properties in snow and how to build environmental shelters as well as learning how to cross country ski!
This picture of Indian Diggings Elementary School was taken in the Winter of 2001.
Our kids learn about water density properties in snow and how to build environmental shelters as well as learning how to cross country ski!
This picture of Indian Diggings Elementary School was taken in the Winter of 2001.
