Otsego High School

When it became apparent that the older children could no longer be fairly educated in the one room school houses, it was decided to build a new school to be used for the upper grades. It received it's first charter in 1916 and was accredited as a two year high school. Shortly a third grade was added to the school and in 1922 it became a three year high school. This was expanded to a full four year school in 1924. In that year a new brick structure was built at the southern edge of town on Route 93. By 1951 it has become increasingly apparant that the old school could not handle the studen't needs and it was closed and the students transferred to Adamsville and New Concord.

Some of the teachers that are remembered from the High School area:

Bainter's Schools

Bainter's school was probably found on land owned by Jacob Bainter who was also one of the township's early teachers. His land was found just to the south of Caleb Buker's land.

Buker's Schools

Lower and Upper Buker's schools were located presumably on land owned by the Buker's. USGS identifies on Buker's School on Route 93 just west of present day Dent road along the stretch that parallels Brush Run. Many of the Buker's taught in the local schools of Monroe township and it is evident that they probably tought in these Buker's schools.

Granny's Knob School

Granny's Knob school was located on Granny Knob road or Co. Rd. 17. It probably the school house located in section 20 of the Monroe township plat map.

Monroe Rural School

Monroe Rural school was a one room schoolhouse that existed in Otsego. It existed at the time the Otsego High School was in use and might have held the lower grades for those residing in Otsego.

Richardson's School (Historical)

Like Stoner's school, Richardson's school was started by Mary Richardson, the wife of David Richardson,in her home. It started in 1816 and the home was located about a half mile south of Otsego

Starkey's Schools

Starkey's School was most likely located in the Marquand Mills area near the land owned by Stephen D. Starkey.

Stoner's School (Historical)

Stoner's school was the first school in Monroe township. It was started in 1814 by the area's first teacher, Mrs. Mary Stoner in the home of herself and her husband Jacob Stoner. The land was located just south of Otsego in section 13.

The Teachers

It is evident that teaching was an occupation that ran in some of the families of Monroe township.

One Room School Houses

Around 1875 there stood, in Monroe township, no less than six one room schools including the one in Otsego. The names of these Schools were Lower Buker's, Upper Buker's, Bainter's, Starkey's, Granny's Knob and Monroe Rural School. The description of the Salem township schools would also fit that of the Monroe township school houses. "There were three windows on each side to allow for plenty of daylight seeing that this was the most economical way to light them. There was one main entrance with a foyer containing coat hooks and shelves for storage. A pot bellied stove, the only means of heating the structure, was located in the wide aisle in the middle of the building. Desks could fit two students and they sat on either side of the middle aisle. The teachers desk sat in front and the upper half of the front wall was filled with blackboard. The library was comprised of a tall book case that stood in one of the corners at the front of the room. These schools would be comprised of students from eight different grades and the teacher would assign work to one group while attending another."