Nixa Public Schools

In the 1800s when most schools in the United States were first starting to become established, there were 84 to 103 one-room schoolhouses scattered throughout Christian County. These schoolhouses generally served 20 to 35 students who usually walked to school. These schools also had one teacher who wore many hats, such as instructor, custodian, and disciplinarian.

When the Nixa School District was formed in 1899, there was no school board, no teacher, no school building, or even land to build one. In 1901, Nixa's first school for all grades was built. Local history says that Walter Keltner, the president of Nixa's first Board of Education, purchased the land for the school and gave it to the school district.

In the past 100 years, the Nixa Public School system has grown dramatically. Once only had a one-room schoolhouse, now 12 separate buildings. The first year, had four students graduates in the two-year high school in 1908. In 2017 Nixa had 1,685 students in the high school. Nixa has grown from the original total enrollment of 149 students in 1926 to 6,122 in 2017. Nixa Public Schools has indeed come a long way from its established date in 1899.

In addition to providing a basic education to the children of Nixa, the Nixa Public School system serves as a social and cultural center. It is a place for sports, theatre, music, and other civic activities. Not only does Nixa Public Schools meet the educational needs of a community, it is a source of employment for the people of Nixa, and surrounding communities, as well. Nixa Public Schools enable each student to pursue excellence so they can become a productive, contributing member of society.