property that exists as Joshua ISD today started making headlines and have been making headlines ever since .
On April 3 , 1869 , the Cleburne Chronicle reported , “ There are 103 pupils in Caddo Grove Seminary , six of whom are boarding pupils .”
Residents came from far to attend this school because of its reputation . It is said that Maj . E . M . Heath , one of the main forces in organizing Johnson County , bought land in Caddo for a home when returning home from the Civil War .
It was the attraction of one of the most progressive schools in the county that led him to buy that land . Both of his children attended Caddo Grove Seminary .
In 1890 , the first school in the town of Joshua was built , which was 40 by 60 foot located west of the railroad tracks . The school was closed in the early 1900s due to the need for a larger facility .
In October 1899 , Willie Denton College opened where Staples Elementary School is located today . Even though the school was named a college , the education program started at the first grade level and continued through the 13th grade .
On Dec . 27 , 1909 , the land that Willie Denton College was located on was turned over to the Joshua Independent School District . In 1917 , the name of Willie Denton College was changed to Joshua High School .
It was in 1918 that the full class of JHS students graduated . The district celebrated its centennial milestone during
Nearby colleges , universities
For over 125 years , Southwestern Adventist University has offered Christian education through Knowledge , Faith , & Service . A small comprehensive university , the beautiful campus is located in Keene about 20 minutes south of Fort Worth .
SWAU offers personable professors , diverse undergraduate and graduate programs , and countless ways for students to get involved on campus , in the community and abroad .
With more than 90 percent of students receiving financial aid . SWAU is highly ranked in affordability and awards more than $ 4 million in financial aid every year . U . S . News and World Report ranks the University No . 11 overall in its 2020 Regional Colleges West rankings as well as No . 3 for Social Mobility . Niche ranks SWAU as one of Texas ’ safest colleges .
Featuring a diverse campus that includes students from nearly three dozen states and several dozen countries as well as an average student / teacher ratio of 12:1 , SWAU offers a uniquely diverse and personal college experience . Departments include biology , business administration , mathematics and physical sciences , communications , computer science , education , music , history and social sciences , modern languages , nursing , kinesiology , psychology and religion .
SWAU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools , Adventist Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools , Colleges and Universities , International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education , Texas Education Agency , Texas Board of Nurse Examiners and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education .
For information , call 800-433-2240 or visit swau . edu .
Hill College , at 2112 Mayfield Parkway in Cleburne , has more than 4,400 students enrolled at its five campuses : Hillsboro , Cleburne , Burleson , Glen Rose and Meridian . Twothirds of the students attend full time . Over half of the students are from Johnson County .
Hill College is a comprehensive community college that opened in Hillsboro in 1923 and offers academic and technical programs leading to certificates and degrees in more than 60 fields of study in health sciences , physical education , humanities , social services , mathematics and sciences .
Hill College has nationally recognized technical programs in areas such as nursing , cosmetology , Cisco computer training , HVAC and welding . Noncredit and continuing education courses are also offered . Noncredit and continuing education courses are also offered . Hill provides more than $ 500,000 per year in scholarships to students .
Since 1974 , Hill College , Cleburne Extension Center has provided post-secondary education to the residents of Johnson County .
The Cleburne campus awards associate degrees , certificate of technology and certificate of completion and offers up to 44 hours in state core curriculum courses .
In downtown Cleburne , the Snap-on Automotive Technology Program is considered the most technically advanced automotive training center in the area , and the only one of its kind in the state . Students are fully prepared after graduation to take the Automotive Service Excellence certification exam .
The facility features state-of-the-art equipment and tools , a two-story lab area with 10 car stalls , classrooms , training and conference rooms . It is the largest Snap-on educational facility in the country .
For information , call 817-760-5600 or visit hillcollege . edu .
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