Who Guides Amish Schoolhouses

As March arrives here in the Heartland, the community is grateful for the stretch of warmer days that followed last weekend's chill. The sun has felt a little kinder, and the thaw in the air has brought a sense of quiet hopefulness. Families are beginning to think about Spring chores, and the schoolchildren are enjoying the chance to walk to school without the sting of Winter wind on their faces. It is a gentle time of year, and a fitting moment to look at another part of Amish education that keeps the local schoolhouses running smoothly.

This week in our series on Amish schooling, we are taking a closer look at the people who guide the school from behind the scenes. In most Amish communities, the school board is composed of three older gentlemen who are respected for their judgment, work ethic, and steady presence. These men are chosen by a vote of the district, and their role is far more hands-on than many might expect. They are the ones who maintain the schoolhouse, tend to the stove and stovepipes, keep the chimney in good order, and even muck out the outhouses when needed. Their work is practical, humble, and essential.

The board meets monthly, and these meetings are not just formalities. They are places where parents, teachers, and board members discuss concerns, curriculum, and make decisions that keep the school grounded in the community's values. The board supports the teacher by ensuring she is paid on time and by standing behind her when discipline issues arise. In a one-room schoolhouse, where a single teacher manages eight grades at once, that support matters more than many outsiders realize.

One Amish woman shared a story about her grandfather, who once stood up at a meeting when parents were debating whether to dismiss a teacher. He had hired her and believed in her, and he told the group that if she was let go, he would resign from the board. No one wanted to lose him, so the teacher stayed and finished the term. Stories like this show how deeply personal these decisions can be, and how much trust is placed in the people who serve.

The board also works closely with parents, both in monthly PTA-style meetings and in quiet conversations throughout the year. They listen to concerns, help resolve disagreements, and ensure the school remains a place where children learn not only reading and arithmetic but also fairness, respect, and cooperation. When it comes to curriculum, the board consults with the teacher and parents, often drawing on what has worked well in other Amish communities. While the subjects taught are simple, the goal is always the same: to prepare children for a life of usefulness, humility, and community responsibility.

Church leaders do not usually involve themselves in school matters unless a situation becomes difficult to resolve. Their role is more about setting broad expectations and stepping in only when needed. They help ensure that families follow attendance rules, since keeping children home for chores or travel is discouraged except for weddings, funerals, or other important family events.

As Winter fades and Spring begins to show itself, the school board also helps prepare the schoolhouse for the changing season. Community work bees are organized to cut wood for the stove, repair or replace stovepipes, and make sure the building is ready for the last stretch of the school year. These work days bring families together and remind everyone that the school belongs to the whole community.

Stories from Our Amish Basket Weavers

Here are a few of the most notable moments from the families who weave the beautiful baskets featured on AmishBaskets.com, shared with us this week.

The Mast Family

The Mast home had a lighthearted feel this past week as the family quietly celebrated Rosa's birthday. Her daughters insisted that she stay out of the kitchen for the day, which meant they handled every meal while she enjoyed a little time to herself. True to form, Rosa used her free hours to trim the family's fruit trees and catch up on sewing she had been meaning to finish. The Masts also shared how grateful they are for good neighbors. An English neighbor and his son brought four dump truck loads of logs from their fencerows for the family to cut into firewood. Their only request in return was four cherry pies, which Rosa plans to bake with a smile next week.

The Swarey Family

The Swarey family enjoyed an exciting outing last Saturday when they took their extended family to the Des Moines zoo. Their oldest relative, who is eighty, came along and was pushed in a wheelchair so she could enjoy the day without tiring. The children talked nonstop afterward about the lions that roared again and again, the sea lions that performed tricks for fish, and the otters that seemed to play for anyone who watched. The monkeys stole the show, especially the one who refused the mealworms offered by the keeper but then snatched a few from another monkey. One mother monkey carried a tiny baby on her back as she swung from bar to bar, delighting everyone and becoming the story they kept retelling on the way home.

"Prayer is the world's greatest wireless connection."

— Amish Wisdom