Our History
Amish School History
A Legacy of Faith:
Amish One-Room Schools Since the 1930s
In the early 20th century, as public education moved toward consolidation and modernism, Amish communities quietly forged a different path—one rooted in simplicity, community, and unwavering faith.
By the 1930s, the movement toward one-room parochial schools was well underway. Amish families, guided by conviction and supported by their churches, began to withdraw from public schools in favor of creating environments that upheld biblical values, respected parental authority, and preserved plain culture.
The journey was not easy. Many parents and leaders faced legal pressure, fines, and even imprisonment for refusing to send their children to high school. These sacrifices were made in defense of deeply held beliefs about humility, separation from the world, and the authority of the home and church. Their steadfastness helped pave the way for the recognition of religious liberty in education and inspired generations to follow their example.
These small schoolhouses—modest in structure but rich in purpose—became places where faith and learning walked hand in hand. Local parents oversaw them, church leaders provided direction, and children were taught not only academics, but also reverence, humility, and responsibility. Over time, this model spread across Lancaster County and beyond, forming one of the most enduring Christian educational traditions in America.
Today, we remember and honor those who came before us—their sacrifices, their vision, and their obedience. We look to the future with that same spirit: appreciative of the past, committed in the present, and hopeful for what lies ahead.
We chose the name Olive Grove for its biblical image of peace and growth. The word grove reflects our model: many simple schools, growing together, rooted in truth.
"Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field." — Isaiah 32:16 (NKJV)