One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Harvey County

The first schoolhouse in Harvey County, Kansas, was erected in Sedgewick in 1870, with C.S. Bullock and his wife teaching the first term.

In June 1872, Mrs. Ellen Webster was elected superintendent of schools in Harvey County. She was the first woman elected to this position and county office in Kansas. As the first woman, there was some pushback. The other person running filed a complaint “that she was not eligible on account of her sex.” A trial was set for July 9, 1872, “but her contestant failed to put in an appearance.” Mrs. Webster’s counsel, Colonel Wood of Chase County, noted that the other party did not show because “the fellow was ashamed of himself” for bringing the case.

The earliest school in Newton opened on September 2, 1872, with Mary A. Boyd as the teacher. Classes were held in the Ringolsky Building on the east side of Main between 5th and 6th Streets. A wood-frame school building was constructed near today’s Military Park and was in use by January 1873. In 1879, a six-room brick structure was built near 1st and Pine Streets in Newton.

In Harvey County’s early years, the imperfect records found in the County Superintendents office made it impossible to get correct data concerning the schools before 1877. In 1877, there were 66 organized school districts and 2,485 people within the school age; 1,703 students were enrolled, and 81 teachers were employed, at an average salary of $33.00 for males and $25.50 for females. Six schoolhouses were erected that year, making the total number 59. To build these six schoolhouses, $10,409 in bonds were issued, making the total bonded indebtedness $45,389. For school purposes, $27,266.

In 1882, there were 67 organized districts in the county and 4,140 people of school age; 3,209 students were enrolled, and 82 teachers were employed, at an average salary of $36.59 for males and $31.09 for females. Bonds were issued to $7,775, which made the bonded indebtedness $34,539.30. With 66 school buildings in use, including all school property, it represents a value of $72,100. Of the $37,891.96 received for school purposes, $32,829.25 was expended in promoting educational interests. In addition to the public schools, there were many private schools under the auspices of the Mennonites and other denominations, where German and English languages were taught. Considering its size, Harvey County’s school facilities were unsurpassed then.

Today, there are two accredited colleges in Harvey County: Hesston College, located in Hesston, and Bethel College, located in North Newton. Hesston College is a private two-year institution with 430 students. It offers programs in aviation, nursing, business, computer science, and liberal arts. Bethel College is a private Christian-oriented, four-year liberal arts institution offering various degree programs, including accounting, business and economics, computer science, and nursing. Enrollment is approximately 540.

The county has five unified school districts, including:

Newton USD 373, headquartered in Newton, Kansas, operates several schools, including:

Newton High School in Newton (9-12)
Chisholm Middle School in Newton (7-8)
Santa Fe 5/6 Center in Newton (5-6)
Northridge Elementary in Newton (K-4)
Slate Creek Elementary in Newton (K-4)
South Breeze Elementary in Newton (K-4)
Sunset Elementary in Newton (K-4)
Walton Rural Life Center in Walton (K-4)
Cooper Early Education in Newton (Pre-K)

The district includes the communities of Newton, North Newton, Walton, McLain, and nearby rural areas.

Burrton USD 369, headquartered in Burrton, Kansas, operates the Burrton Middle/High School and the Burrton Elementary School. The district includes the communities of Burrton, Patterson, and nearby rural areas.

Sedgwick USD 439, headquartered in Sedgwick, Kansas, operates the Sedgwick Junior/Senior High School and R.L. Wright Elementary. The district includes the communities of Sedgwick, Putnam, and nearby rural areas.

Halstead–Bentley USD 440, headquartered in Halstead, Kansas, operates the Halstead High School (9-12), Halstead Middle School (4-8), and the Bentley Primary School (K-3). The district includes the communities of Halstead, Bentley, and nearby rural areas.

Hesston USD 460, headquartered in Hesston, operates Hesston High School, Hesston Middle School, and Hesston Elementary School. The district includes the communities of Hesston, Zimmerdale, and nearby rural areas.

Historic Schools of Harvey County

Name	District	Years of Operation	Location & Information
Kellas	??	1873-??	Kellas School The Kellas School was built in 1873 in Newton, Kansas, at Southeast 12th Street and Hillside. The small wood-frame building was moved to the Harvey County Historical Society in Newton, where it can be visited today.
Bethel College Administration Building	NA	1888-Present	Bethel College Administration Building Bethel College Administration Building was built in the Romanesque Revival style in 1888 in North Newton, Kansas. An addition was made to the two-and-a-half-story stone building in 1893. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in March 1972. It is located at 300 E. 27th Street on the Bethel College Campus.
Lincoln	??	1917-1999	Lincoln School This old two-and-a-half-story red brick building was built in the Collegiate Gothic style. After serving various grades throughout the years, it was closed and sold in 1999. It now functions as Lincoln Park Apartments, a 24-unit senior living facility. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2004. It is located at 400 West 6th Street in Newton, Kansas.
Prouty	42	1874-1923	Old Prouty School The Prouty School operated from 1874 to 1923 as an elementary school for grades one through eight. This one-and-a-half-story, T-shaped, vernacular-style brick building has an intersecting gable roof with stucco and wood timbers on the gable ends. Gable dormers were added on the front, and a three-car garage was added on the south side. t serves as a residence today. It is located at 1727 N. Ridge Road in Newton, Kansas.
Washington	??	??	Old Washington School This two-story brick building, located at 400 S Old Main Street in Newton, Kansas, is available for rental today.
Zimmerdale		1910-1959	Zimmerdale School This one-story L-shaped wood frame building was designed in the vernacular style with an intersecting gable roof and a brick chimney. It served grades 1-8 with one teacher. It closed in 1959 through consolidation, when 31 students attended the school. It was converted to a residence. An outhouse and a newer home are located Southeast of the former school. It is located at 4102 N. West Road near Newton, Kansas.

©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, November 2024.

Also See:

Education in Kansas

Harvey County, Kansas

Historic Sites

One-Room, Country, & Historic Schools of Kansas