19th century

The first school in Peabody was organized in 1871. The first school building, two limestone rooms, was built in 1872 on the northeast corner of Maple and 2nd.^[10] The first high school classes were taught in 1879, and the first graduation class in 1881 consisted of 2 students.^[11] As the student population grew, the school building was expanded. In 1883, a six room addition was erected. In 1901, a four room addition was erected, bringing the linestone school to a total of twelve rooms on two floors.^[12] Before fall of 1923, all grades attended this school. It was closed after the current elementary school was built in 1974 then it was demolished.

20th century

Former Burns High School in Burns. Currently it is the Burns Community Museum (2010)

In 1923, a two-story brick high school was built at 900 North Walnut Street for grades 9 to 12.^[13][11]

In 1945, the School Reorganization Act in Kansas caused the consolidation of thousands of rural school districts in Kansas.^[14]

In 1946-1947, many one-room rural schools consolidated into the Peabody school district.^[15][11]

In 1953, the Brown Building was built across the street east of the 1923 high school to house a larger gymnasium, band / lunch room, and vocational agriculture rooms.^[11]

In 1963, the School Unification Act in Kansas caused the further consolidatation of thousands of tiny school districts into hundreds of larger Unified School Districts.^[16]

In 1965, the Burns and Summit school districts were unified with Peabody to form the Unified School District 398.^{[11][17][18][19]} The Burns High School in Burns, Kansas was closed, as was the rural Summit school that was located between Peabody and Burns.

In 1997, the current high school was built (and attached) to the south side of the existing Brown Building at 810 North Sycamore Street. Soon afterward, the former 1923 high school across the street was demolished and converted into a football practice field. The Burns Grade School, which included a junior high, was closed in Burns, Kansas.

21st century

Currently all students in the USD 398 district attend the high school and grade school in Peabody.

Historical school names

• Peabody High School (prior to 1965)
• Peabody-Burns High School (1965 to 1997)
• Peabody-Burns Junior/Senior High School (1997 to current)

Enrollment

In the 2010–2011 school year, Peabody-Burns Junior High School had an enrollment of 63 students, and Peabody-Burns High School had an enrollment of 105 students.^[21]

State championships

Hosted tournaments

The following state tournaments were hosted in Peabody.

Boys State Baseball:

• 1950 to 1960 (11 years), Class B.^[23] Held at the Peabody City Park.

Boys State Golf:

• 1984 / 1986 / 1991 (3 years), Class S (sand).^[23]

Superintendents

High School Principals

Decades ago, Principals use to teach class in addition to their administrative roles. The notes columns lists other jobs held within the same school district (not exhaustive, and may be missing some information).

Faculty

• C. M. Arbuthnot (1852-1920), physician, founder of Arbuthnot Drug Company, Principal in Peabody for two years.^[43][44]
• Dennis W. Franchione (born 1951), head college football coach at Southwestern College, Pittsburg State University, University of New Mexico, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama, Texas A&M University, Texas State University. Head football coach of Peabody High School from 1976 to 1977.^[45]

Alumni

• Warren A. Bechtel (1872–1933) (class of 1891), founder of Bechtel engineering and construction company. In 1925, Warren, his three sons, and his brother Arthur (from Peabody) joined together to form the W.A. Bechtel Company, and was one of the Six Companies, Inc. that constructed the Hoover Dam, then later became Bechtel Corporation (as of 2018, the largest construction company in the United States and 11th-largest privately-owned company in the United States).
• Rebecca L. Ediger (born 1952) (class of 1970), United States Secret Service agent, Special Award for Distinguished Service to the Executive Office of the President.^[46][47]

School district

List of notable students who attended schools in Peabody, but graduated from another high school:

• Nick Hague (born 1975), NASA astronaut, Colonel in United States Air Force, deployed in Iraq War, test pilot at 416th Flight Test Squadron, teacher at United States Air Force Academy. Nick attended school in Peabody from 1982 to 1989 while his father was Principal of Peabody-Burns High School.
• Willard J. Madsen (1930-2016), professor emeritus at Gallaudet University, sign language expert, author of two sign language text books, attended grade school in Peabody.^[48][49]