The USD 290school district was established on November 12, 1864 by Grant Maxwell. The first term of Ottawa Public School was held from 1864 to 1865 in the upstairs of a building on Second Street and Main Street. The first school building was built in 1866 and served until 1872. A newer school, referred to as Central School, was built at Fifth Street and Main Street and served until 1898 when it was renamed Washington School. This school ceased to exist in 1927. In 1917, adjacent to Washington School, a new building designed by architect George Washburn's son officially became Ottawa High School. This new school served the community for 51 years before a new school on Ash Street replaced it in 1968. Later, in 1978, wood and metal shops were added. The latest addition was created in 1990.
Academics
Ottawa High School operates on a 7:45am to 3:10pm school day with 7 classes each day. Ottawa High School offers a wide variety of classes geared towards the specific abilities and interests of its students. In addition to the standard curriculum, the school also has various courses geared towards the preparation of students for college or university-level education. College prep courses are offered in English, government and economics. Ottawa High School also offers college classes via Neosho County Community College, classes on the Spanish language, and visual and performing arts classes such as basic/advanced art, clay construction, debate, forensics, theatre, band, and various vocal classes. Ottawa High also has a newspaper class that electronically publishes The Review, with physical copies released near the end of each semester, and a yearbook class that annually puts out The Record.
Extracurricular activities
The Cyclones compete in the Frontier League and are classified as a 4A school according to the KSHSAA. Throughout its history, Ottawa High School has won several state championships in various sports and activities.
Athletics
Ottawa High School offers the following sports: ;Fall
Every year the Ottawa High School music department presents a fall musical. The performance is run by a student cast, stage crew, tech crew, and pit, and is put on at the Ottawa Municipal Auditorium. Ottawa High School puts on a play every spring at the Ottawa Municipal Auditorium with a student cast and crew.
Many Ottawa students participate in speaking and acting competitions throughout the school year. During the fall, Ottawa's Debate team is active, and during the spring the Forensics teams is active. Both teams, composed of 9th–12th graders, compete on Saturdays at area high schools. Ottawa annually hosts both debate and forensics tournaments. When competing nationally, Ottawa competes in the National Catholic Forensic League.
Semi Ojeleye, forward for the Boston Celtics, selected 37th overall in the 2nd round of the 2017 NBA Draft. Ojeleye led Ottawa to a state championship and the school's all-time best record of 25-0 in 2013.
