Minnesota's first schoolhouse was built in Stillwater in 1848, a year before Minnesota became a territory. Located on Olive between Second and Third Streets, the schoolhouse was a one-room building with cracks in the walls. Stillwater became the state's first school district just two years later, a full four years before the city of Stillwater was incorporated. This district, now known as ISD #834, has a long tradition of high expectations, high standards and great achievement. It is also a system dedicated to continuous improvement. From that one-room schoolhouse, the Stillwater Area Public School District has grown to 9,400 students. The district stretches 30 miles along the scenic St. Croix River, from Marine on St. Croix south to Afton, and covers approximately 150 square miles. District 834 encompasses 18 communities: Afton, Bayport, Baytown Township, Grant, a portion of Hugo, Lake Elmo, Lakeland, Lakeland Shores, Lake St. Croix Beach, Marine on St. Croix, May Township, Oak Park Heights, St. Mary’s Point, Stillwater, Stillwater Township, West Lakeland Township, Withrow and a portion of Woodbury. The area population is about 57,049. The district serves the community from many locations, including 10 elementary schools, two junior high schools, one high school and an Alternative Learning Center. The newest buildings are the 2,300-student Stillwater Area High School, which was completed in 1993, and Rutherford Elementary, which opened its doors in the fall of 1998. In addition to a rigorous core K-12 curriculum, elementary students are taught band, vocal music, orchestra, and physical education by specialists. Secondary schools offer enriched programs in English, history, art history, humanities, math and science, as well as extensive elective offerings and co-curricular activities.