The Demonstration School was originally an initiative of, and housed within, the Normal Department, which became Education and Psychology in 1911. Annie Fant of the Education Dept. requested that the president fund "an experimental class composed of at least the first two grades of the elementary School " for training education students. In 1907-1908 the Model School was founded composed of 3 grades and 30 students. In 1909 it was renamed the Practice School . In 1929, the Demonstration School building was constructed on 11th Street, which is now a Mississippi Landmark and is being renovated for use by the College of Nursing. In FY 2001 all positions eliminated in budget but $60,000 contractual fund added (possibly positions transferred to Columbus Public School s). In FY 2005 the School was discontinued.

Principals: 1907-1912: Annie Faust (Director) 1910-1912: Sadie Chiles (Co-director with Faust) 1912-1914: Mary Austin (Director) 1912-1913: Jimmie Youngblood (Co-director with Austin) 1914-1919: Ava Allen (Director) 1919-1923: Rosa Wyatt (Director) 1923-1925: Lois Wier (Director) 1926-1929: Mary H. Hutchinson (Director) 1929-1930: Mary H. Hutchinson (Supervisor of Instruction Sessions) 1930-1931: Mildred McMillan 1931-1932: C. F. McElhinney (Director) 1932-1954: Mary H. Hutchinson 1955-1977: Maude Walker 1978-1982: Ronald Towery 1989-1991: Alma Turner 1994-2000: Rochelle Brown 2000-2004: Mike Haynie