High Street School was a primary school dating back to 1874. It had grades 1st thru 4th and upon graduation.  Before entering grammar school, pupils had to know common fractions, addition, subtraction, division and a common knowledge of geography. At the end of the school year, 5 students graduated and the average attendance was 28 pupils.

 

In 1887 High Street School was the only primary school to have a grammar class added to the 5th grade, only because it was so isolated from the other schools in the town.

 

Sometime after 1888 High Street School was closed and then reopened in 1892 with Miss Effie Litchfield as teacher. It had an enrollment of 19 pupils.

 

In 1897, schools used wood for heat. Oak was purchased from D.L. Jenkins for $3.95 a cord and pine was $3.23 a cord.

 

In 1900 the school was struck by lightning and repairs cost $130.00 to repair.

 

In 1910 Mrs. Waldo Litchfield was janitor with a yearly salary of $40.00

 

In 1916 there were 7 pupils attending the school and it cost between $650.00 - $700.00 to run the school.

 

In 1917 the 6th grade was added because there were so few pupils. In 1918 the school closed for good.

 

In 1921 the Mt. Hope Improvement Society was formed and ever since have held their meetings at the High Street School.

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