Milford High School (Ohio)

Milford Main (1913-2016), formerly called the Main Street School

Milford Schools’ origins began in log houses and other single room buildings. The traditional schools formally organized in 1867 when voters approved the first board of education and established Milford Union School. An eight-classroom school that included the high school was constructed.

The newly organized high school graduated its first class in 1883. The Union School closed in 1913 when Milford Main, originally called the Main Street School, opened with a total student enrollment of 381.[7][8] The location in the city housed all grades and was a state-of-the-art building when completed before World War I.

In 1914, Milford High School issued its first yearbook: The Mirror is on file and available for viewing upon request at Promont along with every other yearbook ever issued. In 1919, the yearbook gained a new name, Droflim (Milford spelled backwards), which it continues to have to this day. The Milford Board declared its independence in 1917 when it passed a resolution that relieved the school of higher supervision. At that point, Milford Schools were born.[7] At a time when most schools were strictly segregated throughout the country, Milford was open to all area Ohioans, including Jessie Clark, regardless of ancestry in 1917. Students posed in front of the school for class photos in 1917. Overcrowding has been a problem for Milford schooling since the 1920s. The schools temporarily solved the problem by housing students in temporary buildings or by reducing school to half-day sessions. In 1923, Milford High School started a newspaper called the Hi-Letter, and the name changed to The Reflector in 1933 and has stayed all of these years.[7]

Milford education experienced growth following World War II. James H. Fley became Superintendent in 1952. Under Fley’s leadership, Milford expanded from one K-12 school to many different buildings. Milford looked to neighboring school systems to find additional classroom space.[7] In the late 1950s to early 1960s, Ohio initiated a consolidation of school "districts" across the state. Milford merged with Miami Rural Schools and then Miamiville, encompassing education over much of Miami Township. Before the consolidations, Milford schooling covered five square miles.

In 1962, a new Milford High School and Pleasant Hill Elementary, now called Charles Seipelt Elementary, joined Milford South Elementary to provide much needed space for the growing student body. Despite the new buildings, overcrowding continued to be a problem at the high school.

The growth and transformation of the schools continued for the next twenty years under the direction of Boyd E. Smith, who served as Superintendent from 1965 to 1985. The new Milford Junior High (current high school) opened in 1966. Milford Schools moved the ninth grade class to join grades 7-8 at the junior high. The high school handled grades 10-12.[7]

Student overcrowding continued into the 1970s as more families moved into the schools and Milford Schools struggled to find enough classroom space. In 1971, Milford Main became a middle school for sixth and seventh graders. Elementary grades were divided among the elementary schools while most kindergarten students attended classes in a variety of churches in the area.[7] In 1978, another bond issue became necessary for the construction of more schools. The plan called for the construction of Boyd E. Smith Elementary and renovations or additions to Main, Miami Elementary on St. Rt. 28, as well as the high school and junior high. In 1980, renovation work began at the high school (current junior high).[7]