The 1906 Marion High School yearbook states that public schools were operating in Marion, Indiana by 1856 (Cactus 54). This school was probably without grades and specific departments, for during the 1860's, Welford Weaver noted that the school system was partitioned into grades and a high school course work was instituted (Weaver 4). From the 1860's on, Marion High School has undergone many changes. An examination of the history of Marion High School shows that, as it developed, the school changed buildings, supported many talented students, altered its curricular and extra-curricular offerings, and sustained a dedicated faculty.