The present Whittier school opened its doors in September 1954. It replaced the original 1912 Whittier Industrial School, which was briefly named the Wendell Philips School in 1915, then finally permanently named Whittier in 1917. Whittier Elementary is centrally located on the “Flats” of Butte occupying a full city block.

As with each school that comprises the Butte School District, the students at Whittier enjoy great teachers who hold all students to the highest standards of learning. All students are challenged to meet or exceed the current standards of learning with the deeply embedded belief that all students can become life-long learners when given the building blocks for laying a solid foundation. The students, faculty, and parents are sources of encouragement and guidance for the accomplishments of their students scholastically, as well as in extracurricular activities.