The school district was formed in 1884 and the first school, built on SW34-6-3w, was named for the Garnett family.
The school served the community of Bates. A second two-room school was built in 1904 on SE 17-7-4w. As other schools were built in the area, enrollment declined. The third Garnett School was again a one-room school. The school closed in 1965 and the SD was dissolved. The land was transferred to Sperling SD.
