In 1882 the Humeston Independent school district was formed and the next year a new frame school house was erected at a cost of about $3500.
Before that, within the town of Humeston, the first school was a private or select school taught by Miss ETTA TAYLOR in 1874 in upstairs rooms over a store.
The Christian minister, Rev. HOOVER also taught a select school for some time. Most of the children in town attended the nearest district school.
At first, only intermediate and primary subjects were taught with two teachers. By 1889 Humeston had its first four year high school, along with the elementary.
Early teachers were D.W. GARDNER, JESSIE GORDON, HENRIETTA POUNDSTONE, ELLEN THOM, CLARA HENDRICKS, O.B. SUTTON, G.N. BRYAN, G.W. HINE, GEORGE MCBROOM, J.F. HOLIDAY, CLARA GOLTY, C.A. RATCLIFFE, AND G.A. AXLINE.
By the turn of the century the schoolhouse was too small and needed extensive repairs and improvements. A bond issue in 1907 carried 333 to 27. The Humeston New Era reported "that every lady marked the ballot correctly, while five or six of the manly kind made blunders", which threw out their votes.
At the time women were not permitted to vote in general elections and in school elections the men and women voted separately.