In just a few short day, kids will be heading back to school and it’s not quite the same place you or I went to school in. In fact, can you imagine what the classroom once looked like back at the beginning of the 20th-century? If you’re having a hard time imagining it, here’s a look at what school was like for Arizona youngsters in the early part of last century.

1. This class photo shows the students of a Globe school circa 1920.
freeparking/Flickr
2. Here's a detail of another class photo of a Globe school. This one seems to be five to ten years earlier than the previous photo.
Freeparking/Flickr
3. Here is the 1900 class of an Indian school in Yuma standing in front of their schoolhouse.
Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
4. This one shows the boys in the previous photo marching in formation in front of their school.
Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
5.These Walapai students sit in their school at Hackbury in 1900.
Ashley Van Haeften/Flickr
6. These children are taking a nap at a Works Projects Administration's nursery school in Casa Grande Valley Farms in 1940. Looks like at least one hasn't fallen asleep yet!
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
7. The nursery school used produce from the community farm to prepare meals for the kids.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
8. Over at the Agua Fria migratory camp, these kids were doing some exercises at the WPA nursery school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
9. Older children leave the school bus to return home to their migratory camp in Agua Fria (1940).
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
10. Meanwhile, these high school students at Phoenix Union High School (Class of 1940) are posing for their graduation photos.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar

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11. Some other students are getting their meal at Pete's Place, which was likely near the high school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
What I wouldn't give for a 5¢ lunch.
12. These boys are headed off to the high school in St. Johns from Concho in September 1940.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
13. This teacher is in the middle of a geography lesson at a grade school in Concho.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
14. This student is completing some kind of activity at the chalkboard in a Concho school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
Getting chosen to complete work on the board was always exciting but also nervewracking!
15. After lessons, it's time for a quick break with games! These kids are playing a game called “Hunting the Little Squirrels.” Not one I've heard of.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
16. High school students from Concho are completing a reading assignment with their teacher.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
17. These girls are enjoying a volleyball game at the local school in Concho.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
18. Here are some students inside one of the classrooms of the Farm Security Administration schools in Eleven Mile Corner in Pinal County (1942).
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
19. She looks nervous to be learning about a balanced diet in school.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
20. Here is another classroom that shows the class in the middle of a lesson, also at the school in Eleven Mile Corner.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
21. After classroom studies, some of the boys participate in a vocational workshop.
Library of Congress/Photogrammar
The photographer's notes mention that this school at Eleven Mile Corner was one of the vocational school established under the Smith-Hughes bill of 1917.

How do you think school was different between then and now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

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