Graham Local School District is a rural district in Champaign County, Ohio

Champaign County, Ohio

As of the census of 2000, there were 38,890 people, 14,952 households, and 10,870 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile . There were 15,890 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...

. The district serves the St. Paris area, and several other small communities including: Rosewood, Christiansburg

Christiansburg, Ohio

Christiansburg is a village in Champaign County, Ohio, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census.-History:An early settler to Jackson Township was Joshua Howell, the founder of Christiansburg, who came from around Christiansburg, Virginia in 1808, with his wife Mary and eight...

, Terre Haute, Carysville, Millerstown, Westville and Thackery. The district is named after local legend A.B. Graham, the founder of the 4-H

4-H

4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...

 agriculture program.

Currently, Graham LSD is one of the largest school districts in Ohio

Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...

, in terms of area covered. The district covers over 185 square miles (479.1 km²), which is nearly the size the Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...

. Despite this, the number of students is relatively small, which is estimated to be about 2300 district-wide.

History

Before the Graham Local School District existed, there were six independent schools in the western Champaign county area: Concord, Christiansburg-Jackson, Rosewood, St. Paris, Terre Haute and Westville. Each school consisted of a one building school which housed all grades for their respected population.

In 1957, these 6 buildings were consolidated to form one district, Graham. Concord School became Graham East Elementary. Christiansburg-Jackson School and Rosewood School became Graham South Elementary and Graham North Elementary, respectively. The St. Paris School became Graham Junior High School, and Graham High School

Graham High School (St. Paris, Ohio)

Graham High School is a public high school in St. Paris, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Graham Local School District. There are currently 626 students attending the high school. Attendance rate last year was 93% compared to the state average of 94%...

 was built on U.S. Route 36

U.S. Route 36

U.S. Route 36 is an east–west United States highway that runs for from Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado to Uhrichsville, Ohio. The highway's western terminus is at Deer Ridge Junction, an intersection in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, where it meets U.S. Route 34. Its eastern...

, near Kite Road.

Its unclear what Westville and Terre Haute schools were used for initially after the merger. Currently, the Concord school building is used as a community center.

In 2000, a new building, Graham Middle School, was constructed just east of St. Paris on 36. The old Graham Junior High School building is currently used for the Board of Education, administrative offices, and the Graham Digital Academy.

In 2007, yet another building, Graham Elementary, was built right next to the Middle School. Graham Elementary replaced the venerable elementary schools of Graham South and Graham North. Both old building were demolished, after nearly 100 years of service.

In 2006, Graham Elementary School

Graham High School (St. Paris, Ohio)

Graham High School is a public high school in St. Paris, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Graham Local School District. There are currently 626 students attending the high school. Attendance rate last year was 93% compared to the state average of 94%...

 underwent a $13 million dollar renovation, including a new kitchen area, air conditioning, and a new gymnasium.

Current facilities

Graham High School

Graham High School (St. Paris, Ohio)

Graham High School is a public high school in St. Paris, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Graham Local School District. There are currently 626 students attending the high school. Attendance rate last year was 93% compared to the state average of 94%...

7800 West US Hwy 36

St. Paris, Ohio 43072

(937) 663-4127



Opened: 1957

Grades: 9-12

Current Enrollment: 632






Graham Middle School



9644 West US Hwy 36

St. Paris, Ohio 43072

(937) 663-5339



Opened: 2000

Grades: 6-8

Current Enrollment: 533






Graham Elementary School



9464 West US Hwy 36

St. Paris, Ohio 43072

(937) 663-4449



Opened: 2007

Grades: K-5

Current Enrollment: 1055






Graham Digital Academy



370 East Main Street

St. Paris, Ohio 43072

(937) 663-4123

The Graham Community Foundation

In 2000, several graduates representing Graham's six founding schools created The Graham Community Foundation, which is designed to raise funds for scholarships and grants for Graham students. To date, the Foundation has raised $75,000 for this purpose. The funds are administrated by the Troy Foundation in Troy Ohio. Only the interest earned is used for the awards. Since starting the Foundation, fourteen scholarships and grants have been awarded.

Mission statement

"The mission of the Graham Local Schools, in concert with family and community, is to provide students with the opportunity to reach their maximum potential in order to function successfully in a changing world."