This is one of the largest brick buildings in South Amana. Built in 1879, it was used as a school house until 1954. At this time a school was built in Middle Amana that all of the children went to. This was not the first school in South. Directly north of this building was the first school house (which happens to be my parent's home! No wonder everyone in my family became a teacher!).
Despite what many people think, schools in the Amanas were always in the public school system. Though many things about our schools were different, we were subjected to accreditation from the state. All students had to pass a standardized test before "graduating".
After going to kinderschule, all children were required to go to the "big school". I put this in quotes because that is what it is commonly referred to by older members of the community. This transition occurred when a child was about 7 years old. This was not always the case. Once there, they went to classes six days a week, fifty-two weeks out of the year. The normal Saturday classes were only held for the morning session. Classes of the traditional sort were, of course, held. There was a reading/writing curriculum, as well a math and the other mainstays. In addition to these, there were classes in religion (Wednesdays and Saturdays), handicrafts (knitting and crocheting- even for the boys!), and what is now called service learning. This translated into helping out in the fields, orchards, gardens, and homes as part of their daily school work.
Before the early part of this century, the instruction was in German. Since then, English played a larger role in instruction. German is still offered as a foreign language at the high school level. A side note- Amana German is different from the high and low German spoken in Germany. Even the instruction in high school is not Amana German. There are some books written about the Amana dialect. More information about this can be obtained at the Museum of Amana History or the Amana Heritage Society.
At the age of about 14 years old, both boys and girls graduated from the school system. This was done by taking a standardized test in Marengo or Williamsburg. Usually, the girls were expected to go to work in the communal kitchens. It was a different story for boys. After graduating, a trade might be taken up. This was usually done by apprenticeship. Others would work for the farms. If one did really well in school, he might have been asked to consider going into a professional trade such as being a teacher (most in Amana were men), dentist, pharmacist, or even a doctor. If the young man accepted the proposal, he would finish high school in Marengo or Williamsburg. From there he would go on to college and earn a degree in his field. One interesting fact about this was that the Amana Society would pay for all of his expenses. They did this with the understanding that these men would then return to the community and render their services.
A school bell, now located on top of the wash house at the Museum of Amana History, was hung on a shed north of the school. This shed was attached to the presshouse.
This building is still standing and is now an apartment complex.