McGaheysville was one of the early centers of education in the eastern part of Rockingham county. In the 1830s, a one-room log school was operating in McGaheysville. This was a subscription or private school. In 1850, this school was replaced by a one-room frame building. With the establishment of the public school system in the early 1870s, demand for schools increased and, in 1870, a two-room, two story building was built at McGaheysville. In 1874-75, the school was operating as McGaheysville Male and Female Academy under the direction of B. L. Hodge. In 1881, one of the most influencial early educators in Rockingham County, A. C. Kimler, came to McGaheysville. Under his direction the school came to be known as Oak Hill Academy, a public elementary school and a tuition based high school. In 1881 four rooms were added to the school, making it the largest school in Rockingham County. Under Mr. Kimler's direction, the Oak Hill Academy developed a reputation for high level advanced instruction, providing an education for many of the leading citizens of east Rockingham. The Oak Hill Academy flourished throughout the 1880s and 1890s and into the 20th century. With the development of the public high schools, the Oak Hill Academy closed and a new McGaheysville High School opened in 1907 to replace the Academy. Principals who served at Oak Hill Academy are:
1881-89 (eight sessions) A. C. Kimler
1889-90 C. E. Barglebaugh
1890-91 W. D. Ross
1891-92 R. B. Hamrick
1892-95 (three sessions) C. E. Barglebaugh
1895-97 (two sessions) J. F. Armentrout
1897-99 (two sessions) R. B. Hamrick
1899-1902 (three sessions) C. J. Heatwole
1902-03 D. I. Suter
1903-04 H. G. Whitmore
1904-07 Gabriel F. Holsinger
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