Education has always assumed a vital role in community life. The first frame school building in western Harrisville was built in 1872. It was replaced in 1880 with a new red brick schoolhouse. In 1914 a yellow brick school building was erected in the center of town. Through the consolidation of area schools, this building was taken out of service in 1938. In 1941 the Walquist Elementary School began serving the public and in 1950 was converted to a junior high school. In 2014, Wahlquist Junior High was rebuilt and moved to another location in