Mt Victoria was the first Blue Mountains town to acquire a government school, in 1868. Pupils coming from other towns traveled by train in a goods brake van.

In those days, education depended on the initiative of parents. The parents had to show that they needed a school, figure out the likely number of pupils (30 was the minimum allowed), and put in an application to the government.

Springwood was next, in 1878. With a population of around 200, and the nearest school being in Penrith, an application was made in 1876 by William Henderson, warehouseman; John Ellison, farmer; Charles Moore, merchant; Frank Raymond, store-keeper; Cornelius Lee, farmer. These men were appointed first board of managers.

In those days, education was pretty basic. Children were taught reading, writing, arithmetic and religion. Repetition was the main way of learning. Most children learned to read and write, basic arithmetic, some geography, singing, and a knowledge of everyday things. Most left school between the ages of 12 and 14, then got a job or helped around the home.

John North, owner of Katoomba Coal Mine, was anxious for his miners’ children to gain an education. In 1881, he and Rev. Thomas Harrison organised the residents to apply for a school, guaranteeing 30 pupils. Anxious for classes to begin quickly, North had the school running that same year, with the first classroom being a tent. By 1890, the school had 100 pupils, and secondary education was offered.

In 1885, Lawson made an unsuccessful bid for a school; they had only nine pupils. In 1888, with 18 children, an application was made for a provisional school. A 16x14 foot building was erected for £60, and opened in 1889 with 35 pupils.

John MacManamey opened Woodford Academy as a boys school in 1907. Previously, the building had served as a hotel and then boarding house.

Saint Columba’s College, at Springwood, opened as a training centre for priests in 1910 with 26 students.

Stratford Girls School, Lawson, was founded in 1915 by Miss E. Wiles. Starting out in a rented cottage, it moved in 1919 to a house built by Joseph Hay. It had become "The Blue Mountains Sanatorium", & then a guesthouse called "The Palace".