In 1905 Poteau was the first town in the Choctaw Nation to establish a system of public schools. The school board supported by the citizens, built in 1898 a handsome building on a convenient and commanding site of six acres lying between the Kansas City Southern and the Frisco Depots. The people of Poteau, without issue of bonds government aid, contributed from their private means a sum sufficient, that together with the school board borrowed from individuals to construct a modern stone building at the cost of $8,000. The rock building being inadequate to accommodate the growing population, a one-story wooden addition was added to the north side.




In 1921 another expansion of the schools was needed; therefore a new high school was constructed. Yet, in 1937 this too was inadequate. The gym was also constructed at this time.