Our History

     Joseph B. Lancaster was the first officially recorded superintendent of the St. Tammany Parish Public School System and was known for his vision on an educational system designed to meet the needs of a growing area. Lancaster made many contributions as a lawyer, district attorney, judge, and state representative. He was named superintendent by the first STPPS School Board in September of 1900, after it became an organized set of schools with parish-wide administrative supervision and community governance. Lancaster was a grandson of General David Bannister Morgan, who fought in the War of 1812 with Andrew Jackson and who is buried in Madisonville. Lancaster served as Superintendent of Schools until September 1904 and passed away in 1916 in Franklinton. 

     Joseph B. Lancaster Elementary School is located on 12 acres in Pine Creek subdivision off LA Hwy. 22 three miles west of Madisonville. The two-story school features 83 classrooms as well as computer labs and other dedicated learning areas. The design was produced with input from a special committee made up of Madisonville area school principals, teachers, administrators, and parents. The school’s grade configuration is now third through sixth grade, and the school has had several building additions since its opening in 2011.