In just a few short day, kids will be heading back to school and it’s not quite the same place you or I went to school in. In fact, can you imagine what the classroom once looked like back at the beginning of the 20th-century? If you’re having a hard time imagining it, here’s a look at what school was like for Arizona youngsters in the early part of last century.
- This class photo shows the students of a Globe school circa 1920.
freeparking/Flickr
- Here’s a detail of another class photo of a Globe school. This one seems to be five to ten years earlier than the previous photo.
Freeparking/Flickr
- Here is the 1900 class of an Indian school in Yuma standing in front of their schoolhouse.
Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
- This one shows the boys in the previous photo marching in formation in front of their school.
Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
5.These Walapai students sit in their school at Hackbury in 1900.
Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
- These children are taking a nap at a Works Projects Administration’s nursery school in Casa Grande Valley Farms in 1940. Looks like at least one hasn’t fallen asleep yet!
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- The nursery school used produce from the community farm to prepare meals for the kids.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- Over at the Agua Fria migratory camp, these kids were doing some exercises at the WPA nursery school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- Older children leave the school bus to return home to their migratory camp in Agua Fria (1940).
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- Meanwhile, these high school students at Phoenix Union High School (Class of 1940) are posing for their graduation photos.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- Some other students are getting their meal at Pete’s Place, which was likely near the high school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar What I wouldn’t give for a 5¢ lunch.
- These boys are headed off to the high school in St. Johns from Concho in September 1940.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- This teacher is in the middle of a geography lesson at a grade school in Concho.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- This student is completing some kind of activity at the chalkboard in a Concho school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar Getting chosen to complete work on the board was always exciting but also nervewracking!
- After lessons, it’s time for a quick break with games! These kids are playing a game called “Hunting the Little Squirrels.” Not one I’ve heard of.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- High school students from Concho are completing a reading assignment with their teacher.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- These girls are enjoying a volleyball game at the local school in Concho.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- Here are some students inside one of the classrooms of the Farm Security Administration schools in Eleven Mile Corner in Pinal County (1942).
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- She looks nervous to be learning about a balanced diet in school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- Here is another classroom that shows the class in the middle of a lesson, also at the school in Eleven Mile Corner.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
- After classroom studies, some of the boys participate in a vocational workshop.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar The photographer’s notes mention that this school at Eleven Mile Corner was one of the vocational school established under the Smith-Hughes bill of 1917.
How do you think school was different between then and now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!
freeparking/Flickr
Freeparking/Flickr
Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
What I wouldn’t give for a 5¢ lunch.
Getting chosen to complete work on the board was always exciting but also nervewracking!
The photographer’s notes mention that this school at Eleven Mile Corner was one of the vocational school established under the Smith-Hughes bill of 1917.
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