The Sidney school system dates back, practically, to the beginning of the town itself. Its founders, true to American ideals, established as soon as possible the church, and the school.

The town was laid out in the late 1840’s, or the early 1850’s. It was situated on the trail, where the coaches and freighters plied, between Des Moines and Nebraska City, and Omaha and St. Joseph. As soon as the people could get the children together, they started school. The first school was taught in the old court house, which was built in 1851. This school was later attended by some of our present-day citizens. The school was taught by Mr. Benjamin Rector. Mr. Rector was very prominent in the Methodist church.

The next school was held in a log cabin located where the Nix Bros. café now stands. The school was taught by Miss Norris who lived in the near vicinity. There were very few who could attend at first, and these were very small children. The school, therefore, proved to be a difficult undertaking.

The First Brick Building
The next school, was built in 1858, directly north of the G. T. DeFreece residence in the west part of present Sidney. The building was called the little blue-brick school house. Mr. Robert Percival was its first teacher. The students were classified only as to their size and age, ranging from small children to grown men and women. The students were in charge of the teacher from morning until they were home at night. Often the students engaged in bloody encounter or committed some misdemeanors which required the teacher’s attention. In those days when the popular notion was “No lickin’ no l’arnin’” bundles of switches were kept for the purpose. The grownups were punished the same as the smaller children. The present Carl residence in west Sidney was Sidney’s next school. It was built in 1860. This school was taught by a Mr. Ferguson and later by C. L. Butts. Teachers were very difficult to secure in those days. Consequently, the school changed hands many times during the year.

Try Private Schools.
During the next five or ten years, there were many private schools built. They proved, for the most part, quite unsuccessful, chiefly on account of lack of support. About 1861, one remembers an old log structure, just north of the present cemetery. It had cottonwood slabs stuck on pegs in the wall for seats. Mr. William Edwards taught there.

There was a two-story brick built by Bell and King in the 60’s, just north of our present grade building. It was called the old Seminary. Mr. Biggers taught during the school term. Then it was rented, as high as four families occupied it at one time.

Then Denominational Schools
A Baptist school was established in 1863. A Methodist school was held in the old Methodist church. Private schools were forced to close on account of poor attendance. The two-story brick building, which is part of our present grade structure, was built about 1870. People were very proud of the new building and they were very careful not to break or disarrange anything about it. A man by name of Potter was the first to grade the school. He did not get it thoroughly established for he was here but one year. Later the school was worked out on the class plan. Thus it was decided into four divisions, namely, the high school, the grammar room, the intermediate and the primary. In 1885, the first class was graduated. There were just three in the class. They were Walter Anderson, now a resident of Lincoln; Frank Hill of Hamburg, and Minerva Wilson. Anderson was the valedictorian. Attendance now began to increase. Everything took on a different aspect. Twice has the building been enlarged. The north and west wing as were new additions. Many of our present business men attended the old school where they were boys.

Athletics Introduced
A few years later athletics were introduced but, owing to the rules of the games in early days, it was difficult to get started. The first football team was organized in 1898. The school spirit grew keener along the lines of the various school activities. A very high standard has been set for the school. In proportion of the size of the school with other school, Sidney ranks among the highest.

The New High School
In 1916, a new high school was built with all the modern equipment. It has a gymnasium which makes basketball a very popular sport. Of late years the school has made an enviable reputation in athletics, successfully competing with many schools which are much larger. The present student body averages well over one hundred thirty. The graduating classes have for many years averaged around thirty members. Sidney High School has always maintained a high stand of scholarship. Sidney is justly proud of the fact that so many of its students have continued their studies in institutions of higher learning and that they have made good. Wherever its graduated have gone, they have lived the high ideals of old Sidney High. A large and enthusiastic alumni association is evidence of the place that the old school holds in the memory of its graduates. – Herbert S. Eaton, ‘1924

Additional Sidney School Pages Source: Article from "Sidney High School yearbook", 1924. Donated by Sandra Bengtson, Fremont County Historical Society.