Take a look at these old photos selected from the Evening News archives and you’ll see there was plenty more going on.
Sports days, football trophies, concerts and even opera helped to provide a bit of variety to 1950s and 60s school life.
The black and white pictures here include a boys' mouth organ band, a golf demonstration and several school football teams.
Scroll through and capture the atmosphere of city schools several decades ago.
1. Mouth Organ Band
The Carrick Knowe Boys' Mouth Organ Band in October 1968 - soloist is R Taylor. | TSPL Photo: TSPL
2. Tynecastle sports
Tynecastle Secondary School sports - Colin Keddie wins the 800 metres in 1965. | TSPL Photo: TSPL
3. Cheering Tynecastle crowd
Pupils cheer on their classmates at Tynecastle Secondary School sports day in 1965. | TSPL Photo: TSPL
4. Edinburgh Primary Schools football team
Team picture of the Edinburgh Primary Schools football team in January 1969. Back row - G Anderson, Martin Mowat, B Foster, A Albiston, J Hay, S Lynch, D Torrance; Front row - W McElhaney, R Tait, C Robertson, M Stanton, D Steedman, W Herd. | TSPL Photo: TSPL