Arizona Schools In The Early 1900s May Shock You. They’re So Different.

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.

1. This class photo shows the students of a Globe school circa 1920.

2. 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.

3. Here is the 1900 class of an Indian school in Yuma standing in front of their schoolhouse.

4. This one shows the boys in the previous photo marching in formation in front of their school.

5.These Walapai students sit in their school at Hackbury in 1900.

6. 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!

7. The nursery school used produce from the community farm to prepare meals for the kids.

8. Over at the Agua Fria migratory camp, these kids were doing some exercises at the WPA nursery school.

9. Older children leave the school bus to return home to their migratory camp in Agua Fria (1940).

10. Meanwhile, these high school students at Phoenix Union High School (Class of 1940) are posing for their graduation photos.

11. Some other students are getting their meal at Pete's Place, which was likely near the high school.

12. These boys are headed off to the high school in St. Johns from Concho in September 1940.

13. This teacher is in the middle of a geography lesson at a grade school in Concho.

14. This student is completing some kind of activity at the chalkboard in a Concho school.

15. 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.

16. High school students from Concho are completing a reading assignment with their teacher.

17. These girls are enjoying a volleyball game at the local school in Concho.

18. Here are some students inside one of the classrooms of the Farm Security Administration schools in Eleven Mile Corner in Pinal County (1942).

19. She looks nervous to be learning about a balanced diet in school.

20. Here is another classroom that shows the class in the middle of a lesson, also at the school in Eleven Mile Corner.

21. After classroom studies, some of the boys participate in a vocational workshop.

How do you think school was different between then and now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

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Monica Spencer

Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.