When Collister District was first organized in 1910, Collister was designated Ada County School #46. The first school term opened in the fall of 1911. It was a one-room frame building on a one-acre lot on the west side of Collister, directly across from Catalpa Street. Blanche H. Lovelace taught 56 students. In 1912, a brick-with-stone-trim four-room schoolhouse was built amidst a prune orchard on land donated by Dr. Collister at its present site. Cast iron Waterbury coal heaters heated each room ready for two teachers, the Seburn sisters, and 40 students of all ages.

In 1922, Collister became a part of the Boise School System. Dr. J. Ellis Black was named principal, there were three teachers including Miss Relea Ward and Mrs. Edna Marky Schmarcher, and there were 121 students.