History of Education in Allegany County

• Prior to 1860, there had been no free public education available to the young inhabitants of the country.  Tuition-charging, private institutions were all that were available up to this time.  Therefore children were often taught at home by parents or tutors, or received no formal education at all.

•  In 1865, the Maryland legislature established a state system of education, which replaced a failing county system.  
•  Following adoption of the state system, schools were established in every small community in the county.   
• During the early years of the system's existence, attendance was low due to poor road conditions, long and harsh winters, and most especially, due to the indifference of the parents.  
•  Yet, as the 19th century came to a close, the school saw a rise in attendance and by 1900 it was at an all-time high.

 One Room School Curriculum

• The curriculum of the one-room school house was quite similar to that of today's schools.  The children received daily lessons in reading, writing, grammar, geography, arithmetic, US History and spelling. 

• Teachers often took their lessons from the small library and teaching publications.   
• Typically, teachers were young women, who were studying at the Normal School in Frostburg (Frostburg State University).  They would usually hold the position for a year or two.   
• The average student attended school until the 6th grade.   

Following school, the males would learn a trade or work alongside their fathers on the farm. The females usually resulted in settling into a life at home and becoming a homemaker.  

The Allegany County Historical Society offers a presentation on the History of one-room schools in Allegany County.

Call to schedule a presentation for your group.

301-777-8678