In 1861, the Neosho Valley Educational Association elected a board for the purpose of locating and founding an institution of learning.

School actually began in the "Old College Building" on October 14, 1863, with Solomon Lewis as teacher.

The district school used the lower floor until 1877 when a two-story, four-room frame building was built in the northwest part of town.

The school originally was supported by District 25 and at times there was hardly enough money to operate; but the passage of the Barnes Law gave it new life.

In 1965, Hartford, Neosho Rapids and Olpe consolidated to form Southern Lyon County USD 252.

[3] The Jaguars compete in the Lyon County League and are classified as 1A-Division II school, the lowest classification in Kansas according to KSHSAA.