Bellevue Schools
Bellevue Public Schools began as an act of the legislature in 1871 just one year after the city incorporated. A board of town trustees first ran the schools, until 1882 when non-political trustees began to run the system and a Board of Education was established in 1893.
The first school was located where the high school is now and opened in 1871. In 1873 a building was constructed at Center and Lafayette Avenues. First superintendent was J S Hart. In 1882 a 4 room school was erected at Poplar and Van Voast. In 1889 a 6 room school was erected at Poplar and Van Voast. Bellevue High School's first graduating class was in 1888. In 1907 a new modern high school was constructed on Center Street with a 3rd floor gym.
In 1931 another new high school was built at Center and Lafayette Streets with the Center Street School becoming an elementary school and the Poplar Street School closing and becoming the city building. Several additions have since been added to the high school. Center Street School was closed then re-opened as a middle school when Grandview Elementary opened in 1966. Later Center Street School was again closed then used as a community center and has finally been converted into apartments.
Bellevue Center Street School
Bellevue had two catholic schools. Sacred Heart opened their school in 1875 on Division Street. In 1897 a two story frame building was erected. By 1915 a nine room building was put up. St. Anthony began in 1888 for the non-German speaking families from Sacred Heart Catholic School. A school was started and held in the church until 1930 when a school was built. In 1987 the two schools merged into the Sacred Heart building and changed the schools name to St. Michaels School.