Original School

One of the first functions of the Scott City Town Company after it organized in 1885 was to donate Block 15 of the Original Town for school purposes. This site had been used as the first cemetery, so the bodies were exhumed and moved to the present cemetery southwest of town.

In 1887, School District #1 was established. A 9-month school session was maintained with 2 teachers. It is not known where the first school was held but the Early History of Scott County states that by January 1888, enrollment has rapidly increased which required the construction of a new 2 story brick building at the designated block in 1890. Another teacher was also hired. This teacher was the first to receive a salary of $100 per month. That was an amazing starting wage for a teacher. City teachers typically were paid better than their rural counterparts who were paid a wage of only $15 per month. 

The building consisted of 4 large rooms, 3 of which were used for the grade school. In 1901, the residents of Scott City petitioned the County Commissioners to organize a high school. Once passed, the high school classes were held in the vacant 4th room of the School building. There was only one course of study taught by one teacher. The 1st graduating class of 1905 consisted of 3 young men. 

By 1908, enrollment had increased so much that a new Grade School was constructed at 704 College, the site of the present School Administration Building. The old Grade School was then turned over to the high school. With increasing numbers, it was added onto in 1920 and again in 1926. 

In the late 1920's the county bought the property at 725 Main Street. This site had originally been owned by the Reverend Mott of the Friends Quaker Church, who had dug a basement and began building the Friends School Academy. The Reverend had built a large church to the north of the site which was later sold to the Methodists and was building an Academy when hard times hit. The Academy was never completed. High School classes met in the Original School until 1930 when the new high school was completed at 712 Main for $125,000.00.

At one time, there were over 40 school districts in Scott County. Currently, USD #466 county schools consist of the Scott City Elementary School at 410 E. 8th Street, the Scott City Middle School at 809 W. 9th Street, and the Scott Community High School at 712 S. Main Street.

History of Early Scott County. Edition 1. Volume 1. Page 336,338. Scott City, KS. Scott County Historical Society, 67871.