With few exceptions, the schools of Weakley County from the time the County was formed in the early 1820's until after 1870 were private schools. Property owners did not want to be taxed enough to support public education. There were a few State laws passed to support public schools but they did not seem to work.  Records show that the State of Tennessee funded 70 cents per scholar for school year 1856-57. See journal of first Superintendent of Weakley County Schools 1867-1869 below.

Support for public education gained favor during the 1870's. The Weakley County School System grew rapidly with the largest number of public schools and the largest number of students in the early 1900's.  However, by 1940 the large numbers of students were gone and most of these schools started closing down.  Bigger but fewer consolidated schools took their place.