History of Barnard High School

This excerpt is taken from “Barnard History:  1885-2010, Memories, Reflections, and Accounts.  By the People of the Barnard Community.  Compiled by Marie Kelly Moffitt.

History of the Barnard High School

            The Barnard High School was organized in 1905 with a student enrollment of 27.  Since that time, each subsequent year has shown a marked increase until today there are enrolled 75 students, whose deportment and application we believe is second to none in the State of Kansas.

            In 1908 the old school building in which the Barnard High School began its existence was burned.  It was necessary to conclude the school year in other buildings and the spirit of interest and co-operation on the part of the citizens of Barnard was made manifest by the offer of the various churches of the city for school management.  The term was completed without loss to the efficiency of the school.  A movement was immediately begun in this building.

           Athletics, which is the subject of another chapter, were early introduced and their efforts were rewarded in 1916 by the Barnard High School winning the Silver Loving Cup as champion athletes of the Saline Valley.

            In 1918, Domestic Art and Science were introduced.  In 1919 a Normal Training Course was established.  Both of these departments have show marked development since their institution, a fact that is evidenced by the large enrollment in these courses at the present time.

            During the year of 1920-21, music was added to the High School curriculum and during the last semester, Commercial Law and Penmanship was offered.  It is the hope and expectation of the school administration to offer Manual Training and to install a complete laboratory for Physics and Agriculture.

            The institution of the various courses and departments herein mentioned, coupled with able administration and with the cooperation of Faculty, Board of Education and Patrons, promises a future for the students of our school that will not only fit them to complete with the graduates of other high schools but will enable them to take their places in the various walks of life fully equipped to do their duty as citizens of this great nation.

-1920-21 Barnard Annual

   Barnard High School consolidated with the Beverly, Vesper, and Lincoln High Schools and became USD 298 in 1966.  The last students to graduate from Barnard High School were:  Jim Myers, Walt Simpson, Rick Reno, Pat Nail, Richard King, Kenneth Srna, Harold Hood, Noel Pennick, Charles Kelly, and Ray Coover.

Eleven years later, the Barnard Grade School closed in 1977.  Students attending the last year were:  Amy Hickman, Bobby Bean, Gelane Clark, Janet Good, Eddie Loy, Phillip Louthan, Arleta Clark, Sandra Gregg, Kala Slater, Michelle Blanding, Steve Good, and Jimmy Bean. 

Jeff Wallace, whose family now owns what is left of the school, still runs the flag up the flag pole.