Concord Independent School District, 1848-1911

Independent school districts were formed from early colonial, protestant-based beliefs that a main purpose of education was to maintain a moral, disciplined, and family-centered lifestyle.  In the 1850s, the Common School System begun labeling these nonpublic schools to be undemocratic and asserted that all children should attend schools run by the State. In Pennsylvania, this led to pressured legislation that encouraged most independent school districts to merge with public school systems by 1913.

Pennsylvania Common Schools Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools of Pennsylvania for the Year Ending June 7, 1858

page 20

Concord School building considered "first class", page 160