Ranch school facts for kids

A ranch school was a special type of school found in the countryside of the Western United States. These schools combined learning with outdoor life and ranch activities.

History of Ranch Schools

How Ranch Schools Started

Ranch schools began in the Western United States in the early 1900s. They were created for children living on ranches in faraway places. These kids were often too far from regular schools in towns. Soon, many ranch schools became like boarding schools. They also acted like a dude ranch, where people from cities could send their children.

Why Ranch Schools Were Popular

Many people at the time believed the dry weather in the Western states was good for health. It was thought to help children recover from conditions like asthma. The hard work of ranch life and spending time outdoors was also attractive. Parents wanted their children to grow up strong, healthy, and independent. Most ranch school students rode horses daily. They learned about ranching and outdoor living. Of course, they also had regular school lessons.

Arizona's Role in Ranch Schools

Arizona had the most ranch schools in the country. Most of them were near Tucson. Many schools were only for boys. However, there were also schools just for girls. Examples include Hacienda del Sol near Tucson and the Jokake School in Scottsdale. Some ranchers, like those at the Little Outfit Ranch, started schools especially for "city boys."

Advertising and Decline

Ranch schools were advertised in magazines and newspapers. This brought students and their families from all over the country. Because of this, ranch schools helped the tourism industry grow in the Southwest. By the 1960s, most traditional ranch schools had closed. However, a few still exist today, such as Deep Springs College. Some modern ranch schools are now therapeutic boarding schools. These schools help young people with specific needs.

Gallery

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  Students at the Hacienda del Sol ranch school in the 1930s

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  Students of the Little Outfit Schoolhouse raising the US flag in 1943

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  Fuller Lodge was the main building at the Los Alamos Ranch School in New Mexico.

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  The Little Red Schoolhouse in what is now Beyerville, Arizona, was built in 1921 for the children of local ranchers and farmers.

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  The El Dorado Schoolhouse in eastern Sulphur Springs Valley, Arizona, near the Faraway Ranch Historic District

See also

• One-room school
• Open-air school
• American Indian boarding schools
• Mace-Kingsley Ranch School