From its inception the University of Arkansas operated and maintained various primary and secondary-level pre-collegiate courses of study on campus. The "Preparatory Department" was designed to help students transition into college-level courses and served as a teaching tool for student teachers attending the university. The University Training School as it was designated in 1936 was never very large. By 1920, 1921, 26 courses were offered in algebra, geometry, English, history, science, French, Spanish, and Latin. By the 1930s, the school had a complete baseball team, debate club, annual senior play and later touch football, baseball, and a cheerleading squad. In 1921, the school was officially designated University High School and remained as such until closing in 1962, due to a growing number of high schools in the state.

The Peabody Elementary School was the other half of the "Preparatory Department" and also served as a teaching tool for university students. Named after Peabody Hall, which was erected in 1914, provided class training for levels kindergarten through 7th grade. The school remained opened just five years longer than the high school. In place of the children's playground, now lies the graduate school building.