History of Amish Schools
And the Miller Amish German School
By R. Bruce Weiman
During the first century of Amish in America, Amish children were educated beside their English peers, typically in one-room country schools, located about every mile or two apart (a convenient distance to walk or ride a horse). Typically grades one through eight were taught, most often by an uncertified teacher. Students would attend school, then return to the farm for chores and other on-the-job education. Parents had close relationships with the teachers and were aware and involved in the curriculum taught.
Consolidation of rural schools had been an issue since the mid 1800s, and when transportation and infrastructure became more available in the 1920s, the trend gained momentum. In addition, during these years, local and state governments required children to be schooled until the age of 15, and soon thereafter, 16 years of age. Both consolidation and the requirements for older children to attend high schools ran contrary to traditional Amish culture. Children were taken farther from home, away from the setting that reflected their values, and teachers were less accessible.
The requirement of additional years of formal schooling became an area of contention. Some communities created working agreements with the Amish, while others objected to uncertified Amish teachers, and the absence of Amish children older than 14 in school. The Amish feel after the age of 14, children learn best in the home setting, where practical skills are taught on the farm and cottage industries. In addition, they are not exposed to worldly influences, such as competition, self-improvement, and individualism. These are contrary to the Amish emphasis on cooperation, humility, and servanthood. In many communities, children were forcibly taken to high school, and fathers were fined and even imprisoned for refusing to send their children to school.
In the fall of 1962, officials in Buchanan County, Iowa, attempted to forcibly load Amish children on a school bus for transport to the local high school. Photographers captured images of children fleeing angry officials, which appeared in newspapers around the country. This attracted the attention of Rev. William C. Lindholm, a Lutheran pastor, who recruited Christian and Jewish religious leaders, lawyers, and academics to form the National Committee for Amish Religious Freedom (NCARF).
Although the conflict in Iowa had calmed down, in many counties across the country, parents were fined and even jailed for not sending their children to public schools. In the fall of 1968, Green County, Wisconsin authorities arrested three Amish fathers for not sending their children to high school. In 1969 NCARF filed suit against the state and lost in Green County court. They appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and won. The state, then, appealed to the U. S. Supreme Court, which rendered a verdict in 1972. Stating that the state’s requirement of compulsory formal education beyond the eighth grade could possibly destroy the free exercise of the Amish’s religious beliefs, and that lack of secondary education has not made the Amish a social or economic burden to American society, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Amish.
It is notable that the strife in other communities was not present in Arthur. Today, there are 23 Amish schools in our area. The decision to send children to public or parochial school lies entirely with their parents, and the parents’ decision is respected by the Amish community. As many as one-third of the students in an Arthur Grade School classroom can be Amish, although that number is not common.
History of the Amish German Schools
German schools in Amish communities come from one of the peculiarities of Amish Culture. The language spoken in the home and among themselves is Pennsylvania Dutch, a dialect of German, but significantly distinctive from its European origin. A shortcoming of Pennsylvania Dutch is that it is not a written language, as there are no spelling standards, and very few users of the language made much of an attempt to write or read it. Written material, such as the Bible and Ausbund (hymnal) are, by necessity, German, as are sermons and other written material.
The use of German in worship services made learning the language a necessity. Although German, like any other language, is usually picked up by children through exposure, formal education in reading and writing is necessary, as it is with any language. To fulfill this need, German schools, separate from traditional schooling, became necessary. In these schools, only German is taught. In the Arthur area, there were three German schools serving the entire Amish population.
German school was only held during the winter months when the fields were fallow and farm work was reduced, allowing children time to attend the classes. Children would attend German school after finishing the eighth grade, usually around 14 years of age. Although a century ago there might be a few students as old as 21 years, as time passed the upper age became younger, until most recently 16 years was typical for the oldest students.
In the Miller School, the schedule for the school day is still on the chalkboard. The day begins at 8:30 a.m. and involves singing, spelling, recess, spelling, singing, and then lunch. The schedule is repeated in the afternoon with the day ending at 3:00 p.m.
Most teaching was oral, although writing and spelling were also taught. The focus, other than reading and understanding German for worship, was the mastery of hymns in the Ausbund. Hymn page numbers are listed on the Miller School chalk board with a monetary reward – 25 cents to a dollar – listed underneath each one. Students, both boys and girls, were taught to lead singing in worship, even though only men were allowed to actually lead worship. The curriculum consisted of the Bible, the Liebersamlung (song book), and the ABC book, all of which are represented on the teacher’s desk.
Societal and cultural changes have brought about many adjustments in the Amish community, and the German school is one. As the farm is no longer the main source of income, children are found more often helping in the home or their family’s cottage industry. Thus, the winter months are no longer a time of less work, allowing time for children to attend school all day. With no students, the German schools have closed, the last lessons being taught in 2002, which have been preserved on our chalkboard.
Currently, German is taught among the Amish primarily in Sunday School, and in their parochial schools. In addition, two weeks of German are taught in the summer, four days a week, four hours a day. (The number of hours of instruction need to be verified. This was told to me by two Amish boys, and I may not remember it precisely.)
History of the Miller German School
The Miller Amish German school was located two miles west of Arthur on the north side of Illinois route 133. It was in operation by at least 1901 and the last class was held in 2002. The original school building burned about 1920 at which time the current building was constructed. All of the desks and furnishings are original even including the coal in the bucket and green paint on the walls.
The teacher in 1901 was Daniel Miller who got paid $1.00 per day for a 48 day term. By 1916, the term had been reduced to about 20 days. The term generally ran from January to February when the students were not needed on the farm. The cost for attending the school varied from four and a half cents per day in 1901 to 50 cents per day in 1962. The number of students varied from 23 to 39 with an average of 32.
The Teacher’s Daily Register, kept during those years, listed the students by name and tracked their attendance. Early teachers were Daniel Miller, Daniel Schlabach, and D.A. Troyer. Expenses were noted. Those listed in 1940 include $1.33 for a water bucket, dipper, and wash pan, $3.91 for 12 2/3 yard goods for six curtains, and $6.09 for 1,680 pounds of coal. The enamel ware dipper and wash pan are still in the school.
After its closure in 2002, the school sat empty until 2013 when it was moved two miles further west to the Miller farm to save it from demolition. After the Illinois Amish Heritage Center was established, the school was donated and moved to the IAHC campus in April of 2021where it has been restored and is open to the public.
Current Amish Education in the Arthur Area
There are 23 Amish schools in the Arthur area, and aside from being one- or two-room schools with fewer pupils, they are remarkably similar to public schools. Teachers are certified, and the schools must meet state standards. The curriculum itself is not notably different, and historically was not an area of conflict with public school boards.
Students attend 165 days of classes, September through April. Different days will see an emphasis on different subjects. A school bell calls students in to class, which typically begins with a Bible story, the Lord’s Prayer, and two songs. Morning classes would consist of English, spelling, math, German, and vocabulary. After lunch and recess at 11:30, afternoon classes would typically include English, a vocabulary quiz, social studies, health, science, language skills, and spelling. Classes come one at a time to the teacher’s desk for instruction, then return to their seats for continued exercises, while another class attended the teacher. Older students often help younger ones with their lessons.
Recesses would find the students playing dare base, volleyball, fox and goose, or mush ball. The emphasis of these activities is not on winning, but exercise, fair play, good sportsmanship, and having fun. The students especially love it when their teacher joins the fun.
Students are disciplined if they break the three basic rules: no cheating, no lying, no stealing. Although occasionally spankings are administered, more typically privileges and recess time is lost. In addition, teasing and bullying are strongly discouraged.
For graduation, parents come to the school, and provide a picnic for the students. There are special recitations, songs and poems presented, and the day concludes with games, pitting the parents against the students. Parents will often stop by the school during the year with special treats, and just to interact with the children and teachers.
There are special events throughout the school year. During the Christmas program, the children recite poems and sing songs, very similar to public schools. Another similarity is the celebration of “100th Day,” the 100th day of school, with special activities and lessons around the number. In the Fall is 8th grade homecoming, and every other year, the 7th and 8th grade classes go on a field trip to Springfield.
The Amish also have special education classes. These children are seen as God’s special gift to the community and are taught in an annex to the school.
Oversight of the school is given to a three-member school board. The board hires teachers, over sees the program, and purchases resources. There are many published sources for books and workbooks created by and for the Amish schools.