Sterling’s first public school, taught by Carrie G. Ayres, was established in October 1875. The sod schoolhouse had a dirt floor, shingled roof, and a small iron stove in the center of the room. It was surrounded by a fort for protection.

When it opened, there were twenty students in attendance whose ages ranged from 4 to 20 years old. Unlike public schools today, each student had to supply their own seat, and the teacher and older students took turns sweeping after school..