Note: The following article is a summary of a research project written by Mary Ellen (Miller) Boller who retired from the Sidney City Schools in 1993. Photos are also courtesy of Mary.

The importance of schooling in our community was established from the beginning by Charles Starrett, the founder of Sidney. Starrett set forth several stipulations for his gift of land for the town, one of which was "one acre for the use of the schools."

As settlers arrived, the need for schools became evident. At first, churches met the needs of the community. Cephas Carey brought the first teacher here for his children and soon other families were hiring teachers for their children.

The first free school was established in the county in 1841. Most were subscription schools, where the student paid to attend. School then usually lasted four months as students were expected to work on the farm the rest of the year. By the late 1800s, a few communities in Shelby County had high schools, but most had no more than eight grades.

The requirement for teaching, especially in the one room schools, was usually just passing a teacher’s examination. No college degree was required. Emphasis was placed on reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling.