Schools changed with the times.

Many things have changed in education over the years. From their beginning until the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954, schools were segregated in Springfield. The city, to its credit, was one of the first to successfully integrate after the decision. An historic footnote is that the youngster who lent her name to that historic case, Linda Brown, was graduated from Central High School here in 1961, having moved from Kansas.

There have been changes in curriculum and purposes of schools as well with many things added to the early "reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic," including comprehensive programs for vocational skills and for those with other special educational needs.

Private and parochial schools have long been a part of the changing educational picture here. The Catholic Loretto Academy was in operation as early as 1878. The Catholic churches have offered an education system since 1892 when St. Joseph's School got its start. Today, there are three elementary schools and Catholic High School.

Private schools operated by other religious denominations appeared in the community in the early 1960's with the largest being Christian School of Springfield. In all, there are about 1500 students enrolled in private and parochial schools today.