신명학당 설립에는 초대 교장과 김홍식, 그의 동생이었던 김연식, 사촌 김준식이 협력했으며 설립 초기에는 같은 지역 김씨 종중의 경제적 보조로 운영되었다.
The first principal and Kim Hong-sik, his younger brother Kim Yeon-sik and cousin Kim Joon-sik collaborated in the establishment of the Shinmyeong School, and in the early days of its establishment, it was operated on an economic aid from the Kim clan in the region.