Arrowood Elementary School

During 1967, Dr. Christian Barnard performed the second successful heart transplant, the Boston Strangler was convicted and Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing title after refusing to serve in the U. S. Army.

On the rapidly growing west side of Xenia, Arrowood Elementary School opened it doors to meet the needs of families locating in the Arrowhead subdivision. As an additional school, the building needed a name.  A student contest was held in the district and Simon Kenton Elementary School student Steve DeWalt won with his submission of “Arrowood.”

The school sits adjacent to Warner Middle School.

The school was substantially damaged in the 1974 tornado but today the school offers classes ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Cox Elementary School

In 1959, Fidel Castro became leader of Cuba, Alaska and Hawaii were recognized as states and Lee Petty won the first Daytona 500. In addition, Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens died in a tragic plane crash, Chevrolet introduced the Corvair and Dawn Wells---Maryann on Gilligan’s Island---was named Miss Nevada.  And in Xenia, Cox Elementary School celebrated its opening.

Named for former superintendent Edwin B. Cox, the new school allowed the district to close temporary classrooms at McKinley, Spring Hill and Tecumseh schools, as well as within Christ Episcopal and Second United Presbyterian Church.

The school serves children in grades ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade.

McKinley Elementary School

McKinley Elementary School was rebuilt and relocated following the 1974 Xenia tornado as the city’s population shifted to the western side. At the same time in our nation, Pres. Jimmy Carter admitted to “lust in his heart” as part of a Playboy interview, Patty Hearst was found guilty of a bank robbery, The Gong Show debuted and the Eagles released “Hotel California.”

The original “McKinley” was built in 1902 on W. Market Street and named after Ohio-born Pres. William McKinley.  The building was completely destroyed in the tornado of 1974. The relocated McKinley Elementary School was dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 3, 1976 under the leadership of Principal Richard Bennett.

Today, McKinley Elementary School is one of two grade schools operating on a year-round schedule and offers class to students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Shawnee Elementary School

The United States decided to send troops to North Korea in 1950 when Shawnee Elementary School greeted its first class of students. At the same time, President Harry S. Truman approved a program to develop the hydrogen bomb and Charles Schutz’s ‘Peanuts’ cartoon strip first appeared.  

The school is named in honor of the area’s indigenous Indian tribe.

Currently, Shawnee Elementary School serves students needing transitional kindergarten and readiness-first services, as well as kindergarten to fifth grade classes.

Simon Kenton Elementary School

Originally opened in 1957, Simon Kenton Elementary School was rebuilt following the 1974 Xenia tornado and reopened in 1976.  The school is named for frontiersman Simon Kenton, who lived in the area.  

At the same time in 1976, the Groundhog Day Gale---commonly known as the Blizzard of ’76---hit Ohio, Apple Computer Company opened and the New York Nets defeated the Denver Nuggets in the final showdown of the American Basketball Association (ABA).

The rebuilt Simon Kenton Elementary School was dedicated on Sunday, Sept. 26, 1976, under the leadership of Principal Armic Adams.

Simon Kenton Elementary School is one of two year-round grade schools in the district with classes from preschool to fifth grade.

Spring Hill Elementary School

Residents on the south side of Xenia welcomed Spring Hill Elementary School in 1950---the same year Radio Free Europe had its first broadcast, the first commercial drag strip (Santa Ana Drags) opened in southern California and Guam was organized as a U.S. commonwealth.

An earlier “Spring Hill” was built in the 1890s on High Street. Orient Hill Elementary School on S. Monroe Street was closed when the ‘new’ Spring Hill opened in 1950. The school is named for the numerous underground springs in the neighborhood.

Today, Spring Hill Elementary School offers pre-school classes, as well as kindergarten through fifth grade.

Tecumseh Elementary School

The year of 1947 was eventful:  The World Series pitted the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers and was televised for the first time; a UFO allegedly landed in Roswell, New Mexico; Jackie Robinson became the first Afro-American baseball player in major league baseball; “Howdy Doody” debuted on NBC and Tecumseh Elementary School opened its doors on the northern edge of Xenia. An addition to the school was built in 1953.  

The multi-level school ---an oddity among elementary schools---is named for the Shawnee leader Tecumseh, born in the 1760s along Oldtown Run, which is east of the school.

In 2006, Tecumseh Elementary School earned an “Excellent” rating from the State of Ohio and offers classes from kindergarten to fifth grade.

Central Middle School

At one time serving as Xenia High School, today’s Central Middle School sits across from Shawnee Park and was built in 1956---the same year “Dear Abby” appeared in newspapers and Elvis Presley appeared on the charts for the first time with “Heartbreak Hotel.”

The school was relocated to the site of the former Xenia High School following the 1974 tornado.

Central Middle School ----renamed as a middle school when grade levels were adjusted---serves students from sixth to eighth grade on a traditional calendar schedule.

Benner Field House

Orson Wells caused a public panic with the broadcast of H. G. Wells’ War of the Worlds in 1938, the ball point pen was invented and Physical Education Building opened its doors. In 1971, the facility was renamed the Benner Field House in honor of former teacher, high school principal and athletic director Carl H. Benner.

Extensively damaged in the 1974 tornado, the building was renovated and is used today for Central Middle School, which is attached to the renovated facility.

Warner Middle School

In 1962, Marilyn Monroe sang “Happy Birthday” to Pres. John F. Kennedy, the Cuban Missile crisis ended peacefully, the Beatles released “Love Me Do” and West Jr. High School opened on the expanding western side of Xenia.

The school was renamed Warner Jr. High School in July 1970 to honor former superintendent R. J. Warner. The building was renamed a middle school when grade levels were adjusted.

Following the 1974 tornado, Warner---although heavily damaged as well---was the only school for all of Xenia’s middle and high school students until new schools could be repaired or rebuilt.  High school students attended a “morning shift” and a combined junior high student population attended in the afternoon and early evening.

Today, Warner Middle School offers both a year-round and traditional school calendar within the same building, as well pre-school services.

Xenia High School

In 1977, the nation mourned the loss of the University of Evansville basketball team killed in an airplane crash, celebrated the completion of the Trans-Alaskan pipeline, as well as the triple crown honors of Seattle Slew.  The mini-series “Roots” aired on ABC and snow fell for the first time in Miami, Florida.

Also in 1977---three years after the tornado---the rebuilt Xenia High School opened on the northern edge of Xenia. The Class of 1978---soon to celebrate their 30th class reunion---was the first group of students to graduate from the newly relocated Xenia High School.  

Xenia High School serves students from grades nine to 12 and also maintains a close relationship with the Greene County Career Center for students wishing for a vocational/technical education.

Xenia Board of Education

Originally East Junior High School, the current Xenia Board of Education facility opened in 1923---the same year a first-class postage stamp cost two cents.  That same year, Pres. Warren G. Harding died and Vice President Calvin Coolidge stepped up to assume the president’s position.  Adolph Hitler wrote Mein Kampf while imprisoned and ‘The Cotton Club’ opened in Harlem. Time magazine was introduced and Rin Tin Tin became a television star.

The building’s basement still houses the remnants of the coal-heating system used when the school was used as a junior high school.

Today, the building is used for the Xenia Community Schools’ Central Office.