Education Services Sector Summary

The educational sector includes not only public and private education from kindergarten through college but also specialized educational facilities such as cosmetology/barber schools, dance studios, and adult and continuing education.

The earliest schoolhouse in the county dates from 1817, and for a few decades, schools were subscription based. In 1853, the state of Ohio passed legislation to implement the "Free School System." One of the first schoolhouses built under the new law was the Peoples College erected in Plain Twp. Other early schools included Apple Creek Academy, Edinburg Academy, Smithville Academy, Bixlers Business College, Grove Female Institute, and the College of Wooster.

Wayne County currently has seven public school districts: Wooster City, Triway, Orrville, Green, Southeast, North Central, and Dalton. The county also has a vocational school (Wayne County Schools Career Center) and three colleges: Wayne College, Ohio State ATI, and the College of Wooster.