The property for Shwab School, donated by Emanuel Shwab, was originally located at the corner of Ligon Lane and Louisville Pike, now known as Dickerson Road. The two acres of donated land was just outside the Edgedfield city limits and was easily reached by mule cart. The building process started immediately following the land donation. 

    Shwab School first opened its doors in September 1890 and was the only school in Davidson County that operated on a ten-month school term. The first principal, W.C. Anderson, led an enthusiastic group of five teachers. Mr. Anderson stepped down after two years and was succeeded by R.L. Wright, familiarly called “Mr. Bob”. The first board of directors included Mr. Shwab as well as Len Hart and Frank Horn. Additional families that were involved in the establishment of Shwab were the Lutons, Sloans, Dawsons, Joys and Ligons. 

    Until the fall of 1918, Central High School was housed in a small brick building on the grounds of Shwab School. At that time, the primary grades took over the building and remained there until 1929 when a frame structure with two rooms were added. Shwab School was still overflowing with students and a small two-room church on north First Street was rented to cover student enrollment. 

    In 1951, a ten-acre tract of land was purchased from the J.P.W. Brown estate and a building was built at the current site, 1500 Dickerson Road. Kitchen facilities and a stage were added in 1951. Shwab students and staff remained in that building until the fall of 1988 when they all moved into the old Tom Joy building during the construction of the new Shwab School. The new building was built behind the existing building and the original structure was demolished. Students and staff moved into the current facility in 1989. 

    Renovation in the spring of 2002 was completed to ensure that the site is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The most recent improvements include new flooring and painting inside and out which was completed in the fall of 2003.