The first school in Peabody was organized in 1871. The first school building, two limestone rooms, was built in 1872 on the northeast corner of Maple and 2nd.[10] The first high school classes were taught in 1879, and the first graduation class in 1881 consisted of 2 students.[11] As the student population grew, the school building was expanded. In 1883, a six room addition was erected. In 1901, a four room addition was erected, bringing the linestone school to a total of twelve rooms on two floors.[12] Before fall of 1923, all grades attended this school. It was closed after the current elementary school was built in 1974 then it was demolished.
In 1923, a two-story brick high school was built at 900 North Walnut Street for grades 9 to 12.[13][11]
In 1945, the School Reorganization Act in Kansas caused the consolidation of thousands of rural school districts in Kansas.[14]
In 1946-1947, many one-room rural schools consolidated into the Peabody school district.[15][11]
In 1953, the Brown Building was built across the street east of the 1923 high school to house a larger gymnasium, band / lunch room, and vocational agriculture rooms.[11]
In 1963, the School Unification Act in Kansas caused the further consolidatation of thousands of tiny school districts into hundreds of larger Unified School Districts.[16]
In 1965, the Burns and Summit school districts were unified with Peabody to form the Unified School District 398.[11][17][18][19] The Burns High School in Burns, Kansas was closed, as was the rural Summit school that was located between Peabody and Burns.
In 1997, the current high school was built (and attached) to the south side of the existing Brown Building at 810 North Sycamore Street. Soon afterward, the former 1923 high school across the street was demolished and converted into a football practice field. The Burns Grade School, which included a junior high, was closed in Burns, Kansas.
21st century
Currently all students in the USD 398 district attend the high school and grade school in Peabody.
Historical school names
Peabody High School (prior to 1965)
Peabody-Burns High School (1965 to 1997)
Peabody-Burns Junior/Senior High School (1997 to current)
Academics
The high school marching band is well known in competitions, and especially popular in regional parades. The high school is a member of T.E.E.N., a shared video teaching network, started in 1993, between five area high schools.[20]
Enrollment
In the 2010–2011 school year, Peabody-Burns Junior High School had an enrollment of 63 students, and Peabody-Burns High School had an enrollment of 105 students.[21]
Extracurricular activities
Football Stadium at Peabody City Park (looking south-west) (2010). These limestone bleachers, west and north walls, and various items in the park were built in 1938 by the WPA
The sports offered are Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Football, Golf, Softball, Track, Volleyball, Wrestling. The mascot is a Warrior. All high school athletic and non-athletic competition is overseen by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. For 2010/2011 seasons, the football team competes as Class 8 Man - Division I in the Wheat State league.[22]
State championships
Peabody-Burns High School
After 1964-1965 Peabody / Burns / Summit school districts consolidated into USD 398.
Decades ago, Principals use to teach class in addition to their administrative roles. The notes columns lists other jobs held within the same school district (not exhaustive, and may be missing some information).
Warren A. Bechtel (1872–1933) (class of 1891), founder of Bechtel engineering and construction company. In 1925, Warren, his three sons, and his brother joined together to form the W.A. Bechtel Company, and was one of the Six Companies, Inc. that constructed the Hoover Dam.
Peabody : The First 100 Years; Peabody Historical Society; Peabody Gazette-Herald in Peabody, KS; 123 pages; 1971. (contains school history)
The Women of Peabody; Peabody Historical Society; Mennonite Press in Newton, KS; 250 pages; 2010; LCCN 2010928692. (contains memories from some former school teachers)
