Sohagpur is a beautiful town about 32 miles east of Itarsi. The Friends School is separated from the rest of the town by the river ‘Palakmati’ a name meaning, the wink of an eye. The town is between Viddhyachal and Satpura ranges. Pachmarhi hills are about 40 miles from here.
From Jabalpur, the Friends moved to Sohagpur in 1874. For many years whatever was done in the way of female education in the district of Hoshangabad was undertaken by Friends. The Begum of Bhopal and her mother interested themselves in Girls Schools so that the subject had received much attention and support from them. Outside the towns, there was practically no girl’s school. The first initiative of opening a girl’s school was taken up by Harriet Mender in 1875. The same year Rachel Metcalf started a craft school for women, which was quite unique in those days. Soon the work that Harriet Mender has started expanded. By 1883 there was four schools, two for boys and two for girls. The famine of 1897 gave a great blow to all those initiatives and for some time the schools were to be
converted into a refuge and relief Centres where hundreds of children at the brink of starvation were brought back of life. Ellen Naitby pioneered much of the famine work.

A girls famine orphanage was opened at Sohagpur in 1897. By the beginning of 1897 there were 30 girls in the refuge at sohagpur Boarding. In 10 months they took in over 200 children from 2 to 16 years of age.

Miss Naitby managed the work with great ability and took help from Indian workers.

In the course of time, the regular school pattern returned. The Pre-School was raised to an Anglo-vernacular school in 1907 and was recognized by the Board of Education in Then it was raised to a middle school and subsequently to High School and Higher Secondary School the year 1958. The first High School Classes contained 9 girls. Called the 9 gems. They passed with 100% marks and these girls set the plan for the future on High School.

We are grateful to the Friends Service Council for their love encouragement to this school. We remember with gratitude the Friend who have laid the foundation of this school for us. Miss Edith bac with her zeal and sacrificial spirit helped many Indians towards the livelihood and education. She made no distinction between caste or she treated all alike. After her death in 1960. her sister informe that she had left a will meaning a large sum of money for Sohagpur for further education after passing matric. We are indebted to he her love.

Margaret Finch now Mrs. Holmes worked as a headmistress in the school for many years as an ideal headmistress. She won the hearts many due to her sweet nature and loving ways. Olive shepherd with wonderful personality and loving ways was an active Girl Guider. Douglas then Miss Glynn was the Girls Boarding School Superintendents for several years. She laid stress on punctuality and good discipline. She started the middle school classes. Teaching of English began and progressed.

Mildred Maw acted as the Boarding School Superintendent for the years. Mr.Maw acted as the Manager of the School. Both were deep concerned about the mental,moral and physical growth of the girls did their best of keep the girls and the staff members happy.

1. In the first High School Board Examination in 1960. the result was 100%. For the last several years. it had been 100% with a number of 1st and 2nd division and distinctions.
2. Girls have won :
a) Merit Scholarships.
b) Games and sports scholarships.
c) Sports Talent search Scholarships.
d) In 1970 a girl won the gold medal for obtaining highest marks in Home science in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
e) In 1972 a girl won a Silver cup for getting the highest Distinction in Mathematics in Narmada Division.
f) Two girls have been awarded National Scholarships for college education for getting very high marks in the Board Examination in 1973.
3. In games and sports, girls have excelled in District, Divisional, State and National tournaments. Great emphasis in laid on cultural activities and music, dance, drama are also encouraged.

4. During these years many girls have gone out of this school, either to join collegesor to join teachers training or Nurse’s training. Many of them are now working as Doctors, Nurses, teachers and clerks. Some are Headmistress in recognised schools. Some have married Doctors. Lecturers, Professors of good standing and are taking of their families happily.

At present in crowd of commercial schools Friends Girls Higher Secondary School Sohagpur still working with help and charity. Last year Friends school management launch “Free Girls education project” for poor and needy girl child. As per this project Board members, Managing committee members, Staff members, Old students and local people donate the fees and sponsor children.

Consequently Friends Girls Higher Secondary School Sohagpur still working as a charitable body in Hoshangabad District.