The first school in the Henry River area was organized by the early pioneers of the Henry River Mills. Night classes were also held in the boarding house for adults.

About 1910 a four-month public school was held in the upstairs of the store building. There was one teacher. She was hired and paid by the Icard Township. The term was extended for two months by subscriptions paid for by interested patrons. The teacher was given room and board by the school patrons, each taking their turn for a month at a time.

About 1917 the school in the store building was discontinued. The students on the south side of the river went to the Adventist School in Catawba County, while the ones on the north side attended the Beach School in Hildebran.

Later a new high school was built at Hildebran. This school accommodated students from Henry River as well as the Hildebran area.