Photos of Oberlin’s Little Red Schoolhouse courtesy of Prospect Open Room 3rd Grade, 2004 “The most effective course of action any school can take to improve student achievement is to assure each child has an excellent teacher. This partnership between Oberlin College and Oberlin’s public schools is unique and compelling in its potential to produce mutually beneficial results.” Geoffrey Andrews, Superintendent of the Oberlin School District

It is estimated that over the next ten years the nation will need more than two million teachers, with the greatest needs in urban and rural communities. Due to the unique characteristics of the town of Oberlin, the Oberlin Public School system blends the diversity of an urban center with the life of a small town. Students of different races and ethnicities, with varying family incomes and support systems, make up a school population that represents both urban and rural communities.

The city’s first frame building, Oberlin Hall, was built in 1833 on the corner of Main and College streets. Including a small space for the city’s children to use as a classroom, the two-story frame building also provided dining, sleeping and classroom space for Oberlin College students, as well as office space and living quarters for professors and their families. The Hall was also used for town and college functions. By 1836, Oberlin villagers built the Little Red Schoolhouse that is still part of the school district today. That same year, the school district also became part of the state’s public school system.

Today, under the direction of Oberlin City Schools Superintendent Geoffrey Andrews, this school district includes Eastwood Elementary (K-2); Prospect Elementary (3-5); Langston Middle School (6-8); Oberlin High School (9-12) and the Board of Education offices, which provide education to 1,100 students of all races, many nationalities, and diverse backgrounds.

Eastwood School
198 E. College St.
Oberlin, Ohio 44074-1771
(440) 775-3473
Eastwood Elementary School provides kindergarten through second grade education. School year activities include a 100-Day Celebration, America Reads, Grandparents’ Day, Read Across America, as well as an East Japanese Dance Workshop.

Prospect School
36 S. Prospect St.
Oberlin, Ohio 44074-1410
(440) 774-4421
Children in grades three through five attend Prospect Elementary School, where learning is enriched with activities that include visits by authors, the Cleveland Opera and Family Games Night. In addition, band, choir, and orchestra are offered.

Langston Middle School
150 N. Pleasant St.
Oberlin, Ohio 44074-1177
(440) 775-7961
Langston Middle School educates students in grades six through eight. Originally used as the district’s high school, the school is named after John Mercer Langston, an Oberlin resident who became Ohio’s first African-American lawyer in 1854. Extracurricular opportunities include student council, choir, orchestra, and band. Students may also participate in football, basketball and volleyball. In 2006, the first Maria Johnson Scholarship was awarded to college-bound recipients who balanced playing a sport and excelling in academics with performing community service.

Oberlin High School
281 N. Pleasant St.
Oberlin, Ohio 44074-1177
(440) 774-1295
Newly renovated Oberlin High School spans grades nine through twelve. Activities include clubs and organizations such as the National Honor Society, Future Educators of America, the Key Club, the marching band, choir, orchestra, and drama club. Athletic opportunities include football, baseball, basketball, soccer, wrestling, and softball.