In 1881 Colonel Francis Howell, founder of the Francis Howell School District (FHSD), financed the establishment of an academy for children in the area. The academy was known as the Howell Institute of Learning. In 1917, the institute became a state high school until the TNT plant was located in Weldon Springs. In 1940, it became part of Consolidated School District No. 2.
Castlio Elementary School is named after Hiram Beverly Castlio, the nephew of Francis Howell. Mr. Castlio was the executor of Francis Howell’s estate. He supported Howell Institute with his time as an active member of the board and one of the original trustees of the endowment fund. Upon his death a matching donation was made to the school.
Francis Howell School District covers approximately 150 square miles. It is the eighth largest district in the state of Missouri. Castlio Elementary School opened in 1981 with 500 students in grades K-6. Castlio Elementary doubled in size with the beginning of the 1989-1990 school year and currently serves approximately 1000 students. Herman Wilfong served as the principal from the opening until retiring at the end of the 1994 school year. Joyce Oitker was the principal beginning in 1994 until her retirement in June 1998. Dr. Cathy Bear was selected as the third person to lead Castlio Elementary School into the next millennium. Nancy Jamieson began serving as principal from May 2000- 2004. Starting July 2004 Dr. Bridgett Niedringhaus served as principal until her retirement in June 2018. Mr. Scholle is Castlio’s Principal for the 2022-2023 school year.
Castlio Elementary School is the home of the Cougars; our colors are red and white.
