The story in Corning is echoed in communities all across the state: state funding is available to construct new schools, but often at the cost of abandoning historic and architecturally significant neighborhood schools.  The 1922 Corning Free Academy faces an uncertain future, as the school board explores plans to construct a larger, consolidated middle school. Corning Free Academy is located within the Southside National Register Historic District, and it incorporates elements from the former home of Amory A. Houghton, elaborate terra cotta pieces made by the Corning Brick and Terra Cotta and Tile Company, and decorative glass shades produced by Corning Glass Works.