During the early days of many new communities, church buildings were used for multiple purposes until other facilities could be built.

On June 4, 1880, the first Arkansas City High School graduating class had its commencement at the First United Methodist Church.

[7] The district rented space in a former boarding house owned by H. P. Farrar in the period 1888 to 1891 to use for high school classes.

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Old Arkansas City High School" and is Cowley College's Ireland Hall.

The first athletic activities were a girls' basketball team organized by chemistry and physics teacher Roxana Oldroyd.