Peabody-Burns Junior/Senior High School

19th century

The first school in Peabody was organized in 1871. The first school building, two stone rooms, was built in 1872 on the northeast corner of Maple and 2nd.^[9] The first high school classes were taught in 1879, and the first graduation class in 1881 consisted of 2 students.^[10]

20th century

In 1923, a new high school was built at 900 North Walnut Street.^[10]

In 1946-1947, the School Reorganization Act consolidated many one-room rural schools into the Peabody school district.^[10]

In 1953, the Brown Building was built, across the street, to house a larger gymnasium, band / lunch room, and vocational agriculture rooms.^[10]

In 1965, the Burns and Summit school districts were unified with Peabody to form Unified School District 398.^[10] The Summit school and Burns High School were closed in Burns, Kansas.

In 1996-1997, the current high school was built (and attached) to the south side 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 schools 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)

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.^[6]

Academics

Sports

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.^[13]

High School Principal

Faculty

List of notable faculty:

• Dennis Wayne Franchione (born 1951), head college football coach at Southwestern College, Pittsburg State University, University of New Mexico, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama, Texas A&M University, Texas State University. Head football coach of Peabody High School from 1976 to 1977.^[22]
• C. M. Arbuthnot (1852-1920), physician, founder of Arbuthnot Drug Company, Principal in Peabody for two years.^[23][24]

Alumni

List of notable alumni:

• Class of 1994: Ethan Andrew Schmidt (1975-2015), assistant professor of history at Delta State University, American history author of “Native Americans in the American Revolution" (2015) and "The Divided Dominion: Social Conflict and Indian Hatred in Early Virginia" (2014).^{[25][26][27][28]}
• Class of 1970: Rebecca Lee Ediger (born 1952), United States Secret Service agent, Special Award for Distinguished Service to the Executive Office of the President.^[29][30]
• Class of 1963: Dick Myers (born 1945), Forward for 1965–66 Texas Western Miners men's basketball team, the team that inspired the 2005 book and 2006 film named Glory Road then was inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. Dick was a member of Peabody High School basketball team that placed 1st in B state playoffs in spring 1963.^[31][32]
• Class of 1954: Ron Slaymaker (born 1936), member of 4 sports hall of fames, Emporia State University basketball coach, high school basketball and football coach.^[33]
• Class of 1923: Lawrence David Slocombe (1905-1972), Kansas House of Representatives from 1956 to 1972, rancher, farmer, businessman.^[34][35][36]
• Class of 1891: Warren Abraham Bechtel (1872–1933), founder of Bechtel Corporation. In 1925, Warren, his three sons, and his brother Arthur (from Peabody) joined together to form the W.A. Bechtel Company, and was one of the Six Companies, Inc. that constructed the Hoover Dam, then later became Bechtel Corporation (the 8th largest privately owned company in United States, as of 2017).

School district

List of notable students who attended schools in Peabody, but graduated from another high school:

• Willard J. Madsen (born 1930), professor emeritus at Gallaudet University, sign language expert, author of two sign language text books.^[37][38]