1. Local Archives and Historical Societies:
* County Archives: These often hold records of schools, including yearbooks, student lists, photographs, and administrative documents. They are your best bet.
* City Archives/Historical Societies: Similar to county archives, but focused on a specific city or town. If the school was in a small town, this is crucial.
* State Archives: A broader scope, but still potentially useful, especially for larger schools or those with statewide significance.
* University Archives (if applicable): If the school was a college or university, its successor institution (if any) might hold archives.
2. Online Resources:
* Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, etc.: Search historical newspapers for articles mentioning the school. This can yield valuable information about events, staff, and students.
* Ancestry.com, MyHeritage: Genealogical websites can be surprisingly helpful. Searching for alumni's names can lead to their obituaries or family trees, which might mention the school.
* Google Books and Internet Archive: Look for digitized books, yearbooks, or local histories that might include information about the school.
* Library Catalogs (WorldCat): Search for books or resources that might mention the school.
3. Libraries:
* Local Libraries: Check the local library's local history collection. They often have materials about the area's past, including schools.
4. Alumni Networks (if applicable):
* Social Media: Search for groups or pages related to the school on Facebook, LinkedIn, or other platforms. Even if the school doesn't have an official page, alumni might have created groups.
5. State Education Departments:
* Contact the state education department or its archives. They may have records of schools, even those that are defunct.
Tips for Your Search:
* Be specific: The more specific information you have (location, years of operation, name variations), the better your chances of success.
* Use different search terms: Try variations of the school's name, including abbreviations and nicknames.
* Explore related resources: If you find information about a related organization (e.g., a school district that the school belonged to), it might lead you to more information.
* Contact local historians: They are often knowledgeable about the history of their communities and may have information about defunct schools.
Remember to be patient and persistent. Finding information on a defunct school requires thorough research, but with the right approach, you can uncover valuable insights.