For many years, the only school in the Connecticut Western Reserve was located in a log cabin between Warren’s public square and the Mahoning River.

When an Ohio law in 1825 required the establishment of schools across the state, formal education in Leavittsburg began. At this time, children of the Leavitt and Austin families, pioneer settlers of Leavittsburg, attended what was known as District School No. 6.

This school was one of 17 district schools in Warren Township. The Warren Township Board of Trustees oversaw these schools until 1857, when a new state law required the establishment of local school boards and separate taxes for educational purposes.

In 1876, a one-room schoolhouse was built in Leavittsburg for the cost of $525. The school was built on the northwest corner of Hardscrapple (the corner of Parkman Road and North Leavitt Road). In 1886, a second story and fire escape were added to the school. It was also around this time that residents began petitioning for the creation of a separate educational district in Leavittsburg, due largely to increases in population. Initially, this idea met opposition, but in 1893, Leavittsburg was declared a “special school district” by the Ohio Legislature.

The two-story schoolhouse remained until Jan. 18, 1916, when a fire, aided by unusually heavy winds, destroyed the building. The firetruck heading to the school broke down in route. All of the students and both teachers were able to escape unharmed.

Shortly following the fire, efforts began to “centralize” the Leavittsburg and Warren Township school districts. Land was secured from the Erie Railroad company and within a year, a two-story, eight-room structure was constructed on West Market Street and dedicated on Feb. 22, 1917. Because of large population increases, additional land was purchased and the building was added to extensively in a puzzle-like manner for the next 30 years. In 1921, a third floor was added to the west wing, and the gymnasium was built. In 1947, the third floors of the center and east wings were added. The final result was a large school building that served ages of Leavittsburg students.

Two elementary building were also added to the district — Bascom Elementary built in 1954 and Leavitt Elementary in 1961.

The Warren Township / Leavittsburg district ended in 1970, when Leavittsburg and Braceville school districts consolidated, and the district became know as LaBrae Local Schools.

In June 2005, LaBrae closed the doors of the high school and Leavitt Elementary because of the building of a new, state-of-the-art LaBrae campus. Built largely with special funding from the state of Ohio and aided by taxpayer support, the new facility continues to provide educational opportunities for generations of students.

Indeed, a school both reflects its community and initiates progress for the future. The history of the Warren Township / Leavittsburg / LaBrae Schools shows exactly that. Throughout the years, as the need for change and growth has presented itself, community members and leaders have responded. The story of our schools’ history is a story of change, growth and progress. The main goal has been and continues to be providing a safe, sound education experience for the children of our community.