As Montgomery County commemorates 250 years in 2026, stories across the community reveal how the county has transformed over time. Education is one story that reflects that transformation.
From private academies and one-room schoolhouses to modern classrooms and expanding opportunities for all students, the history of education in Montgomery County demonstrates the spirit of the
MCVA250 theme:
Revolution to Revolutionary.
Prior to the 1870s, formal education in Montgomery County did not reflect what is experienced today. Educational opportunities were limited and often available only to families with financial means. Some families relied on private tutors, while churches in some communities supported local educational opportunities.
One local family influenced education in Montgomery County, as well as other areas in Virginia. William Preston, of
Historic Smithfield, advocated for education at a time when formal learning opportunities were limited for many. Preston valued education for both boys and girls. The Preston family’s educational legacy influenced both Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia.
In 1810, the state began efforts to expand educational opportunities by establishing Virginia’s Literary Fund, which provided public funds for educating children living in poverty and improving school facilities.
In 1869, Virginia adopted a new constitution establishing a statewide system of free public education. At the same time, educational opportunities were made available for freed African Americans. The establishment of the Freedmen’s Bureau in 1865 supported developing schools that served African American communities.
One of the most influential institutions established during this time was the
Christiansburg Institute. Founded in 1866 as a school serving formerly enslaved individuals, the Christiansburg Institute grew into Southwest Virginia’s first high school for African Americans. It became known as a center for academic excellence and opportunity, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to shape the community today.
As public education expanded, schools were connected to the communities they served. Small one- and two-room schoolhouses emerged throughout Montgomery County. These schoolhouses were located near churches, mills, gathering places and rural communities. Students of various age and grade levels learned together under a single teacher. These schools created the foundation for the more accessible public education system realized today.
By the early 1900s, public education began to flourish. As roads improved and transportation became more accessible, Montgomery County gradually transitioned from many small community schools to larger, centralized schools designed to serve the growing population.
The county’s school system continued to evolve as desegregation transformed public education across Virginia. Montgomery County schools integrated during the 1960s, which marked another important chapter in the county’s educational history and helped create the public school system that exists today.
Today,
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) serve students throughout seven school districts, while higher education institutions like
Virginia Tech,
New River Community College and
Radford University continue to strengthen the county’s reputation as a place of learning and innovation. Programs like GO TEC though MCPS have introduced students to emerging technologies and hands-on career opportunities, demonstrating how education in Montgomery County continues to evolve to meet the needs of future generations.
From expanding access to embracing innovation, the story of education in Montgomery County reflects 250 years of revolutionary ideas that have left a lasting impact on the community.