In 1872, the state assumed complete responsibility for education. School Boards were established in Lewis answerable to the Board of Education and later the Scottish Education Department. The Boards in Lewis reflected the civic Parish boundaries of Barvas, Lochs, Stornoway and Uig.

School attendance was compulsory except in cases of illness or where the school was more than three miles from home. Fees were payable, but if the parents were unable to pay the Parochial Board / Parish Council met the cost from poor relief until fees were abolished in 1889/1894. The Boards also oversaw the medical inspection of children.

Achmore sits between the parishes of Lochs to the east and Uig to the west. Both parishes had their own school boards but it was agreed that due to the geographical setting of Achmore it would be better for it to have its own school board. One was duly established in 1875. The Board was responsible for Archmore school only.

The Education Act of 1918 abolished School Boards replacing them with School Management Committees