Education played a crucial role in El Paso's development. By 1878, Panola Township had ten school districts—Panola, Hilsabeck, Shaw, Pauley, De Vries, McOmber, Hodgson, Bassett, Roth, and Punke—with a total of 480 students, demonstrating the community's early commitment to education. In late 1856, Handley King built a home at First and Pine streets, where his aunt taught the first school with 20 pupils, and later, Jennie Fishburn and Harry H. Hewitt became key figures in the community's growing educational efforts, which led to the addition of classrooms due to overcrowding. El Paso's school district initially encompassed the entire village and most of the northern half of El Paso Township, but a rivalry between east and west side businessmen led to the division of the district in 1869, with two separate schools established. The East Side school, built in 1869, and the West Side school, initially a wooden structure replaced by a brick building in 1897, operated independently until 1944, when a popular vote consolidated the districts into one unified grade school district. Despite this rivalry, educational advancements were made, including the introduction of a four-year high school program in 1892 and the creation of El Paso Township High School District #375 in 1916, culminating in the construction of a new high school building in 1921. In addition to these educational institutions, El Paso's commitment to learning is also reflected in the establishment of the Carnegie library in 1907, a cornerstone for public education and community enrichment. The library continues to serve as a resource for residents of all ages, offering a place to read, learn, and grow.
Education played a crucial role in El Paso's development. By 1878, Panola Township had ten school districts—Panola, Hilsabeck, Shaw, Pauley, De Vries, McOmber, Hodgson, Bassett, Roth, and Punke—with a total of 480 students, demonstrating the community's early commitment to education. In late 1856, Handley King built a home at First and Pine streets, where his aunt taught the first school with 20 pupils, and later, Jennie Fishburn and Harry H. Hewitt became key figures in the community's growing educational efforts, which led to the addition of classrooms due to overcrowding. El Paso's school district initially encompassed the entire village and most of the northern half of El Paso Township, but a rivalry between east and west side businessmen led to the division of the district in 1869, with two separate schools established. The East Side school, built in 1869, and the West Side school, initially a wooden structure replaced by a brick building in 1897, operated independently until 1944, when a popular vote consolidated the districts into one unified grade school district. Despite this rivalry, educational advancements were made, including the introduction of a four-year high school program in 1892 and the creation of El Paso Township High School District #375 in 1916, culminating in the construction of a new high school building in 1921 In addition to these educational institutions, El Paso's commitment to learning is also reflected in the establishment of the Carnegie library in 1907, a cornerstone for public education and community enrichment. The library continues to serve as a resource for residents of all ages, offering a place to read, learn, and grow.