18 Yearbook Photos That Are Peak 1970s

Written by Alina Wang on May 28, 2025

Black-and-white yearbook-style photos of three people, labeled Lisa Burch, Ken Bulpitt, and Perry Burch. Lisa smiles in a striped shirt; Ken and Perry wear glasses and collared shirts, with Perry in a jacket.

From bell-bottoms swishing down the halls to the crackle of a boombox blasting Fleetwood Mac, high school in the ’70s was a whole vibe. It was a time of scribbled notes on loose leaf paper, wood-paneled station wagons, and an unwavering faith that your perm could survive anything. Take a look at these 1970s yearbook photos that truly capture the decade, from feathered bangs and oversized collars to plaid dresses and tinted shades.

1. Rolling Into Homeroom in Cowboy Hats and Plaid Skirts? Must’ve Been in Texas

Students in 1960s-style clothing exit a yellow school bus and walk toward a school building, carrying books and bags. The scene captures a typical morning arrival at school. — USHistoryUncovered

2. No High School Experience Was Complete Without a Science Experiment Gone Wrong

A man in a classroom stands near a table as a large cloud of yellow and white smoke billows up, likely from a science experiment, while chemical bottles are visible on shelves in the background. — USHistoryUncovered

3. ‘The Girls All Have the Prettiest Hair in These Old Photos.’ Agreed

Black and white photo of a classroom with female students sitting at desks, talking. Some typewriters are visible. A teacher stands near the chalkboard. Caption reads: "Typing students have a few moments to talk when no one is looking. — USHistoryUncovered

4. Getting Down at the School Dance, 1970

Teenagers in colorful 1960s-style clothing dance on a wooden floor, while a live band performs on a decorated stage in the background. The scene is lively and festive, evoking a retro dance party atmosphere. — USHistoryUncovered

5. When Your High School Shoot Doubles as a Modeling Audition

A group of women stand outdoors in a line, each wearing a different brightly colored coat and hat in red, orange, yellow, blue, green, or white. They smile and pose on grass with trees in the background. — USHistoryUncovered

6. ‘Stache Goals: ‘A 17-Year-Old’s Yearbook Photo From the 1970s’

A man with curly brown hair and a mustache wears a gray blazer over a wide-collared white shirt. The photo has a vintage 1970s style and sepia tone. The man looks slightly to the side. — zadraaa

7. How Could You Fail When You Were Rocking That ‘Fro?

Black-and-white yearbook photo of a young woman and man standing side by side outdoors under the heading “Most Likely to Succeed: Joy Davies, Peter Broz.” Both have neutral expressions. — NorwegianMuse

8. Just Another Day Wearing Plaid in the Teachers’ Lounge

Five women sit and talk in a lounge area with large windows, surrounded by chairs and small tables with drinks and papers. They appear relaxed and engaged in conversation. — USHistoryUncovered

9. Flared Pants and Feathered Hair: Peak ’70s High School

Six teenagers in vintage clothing sit on a low brick wall, smiling and looking at books together. They appear to be in a school hallway lined with large windows and a potted plant in the background. — USHistoryUncovered

10. ‘My Aunt Lisa, My Dad’s Little Sister, Circa 1979’

A black-and-white yearbook photo grid features several students. The center image shows a young woman with light hair, smiling at the camera, surrounded by other student portraits. — NorwegianMuse

11. Art Class Never Looked So Groovy

Four students sit on chairs outdoors, each drawing on large sketchpads balanced on their laps. Trees and a building with large windows are visible in the background. The image appears to be from the 1970s. — USHistoryUncovered

12. ‘1970 Columbia High School Yearbook.’ Talk About Dropping Some Serious Pearls of Wisdom. You Tell ‘Em, Merle!

Eight black-and-white yearbook portraits of students, each with their name and a unique quote beneath their photo expressing personal thoughts or philosophies. — tonyleonardo

13. The OG Ultimate Frisbee Boys

A black-and-white photo of a high school frisbee team, with members wearing "SOA Sharpe Frisbee" shirts, some holding frisbees, posing outdoors on a court. Text reads "Keep 'Em Flying - C.H.S. Varsity Frisbee Squad. — tonyleonardo

14. Experiment or Accident? Hard to Tell in a ’70s Chemistry Lab Where Apparently Goggles Weren’t Required

A group of students in a science classroom perform an experiment with test tubes and glass bottles; one student sits, holding tongs over a flame, creating smoke as others watch closely. — USHistoryUncovered

15. Taking School Pageants to a Whole New Level

A black-and-white photo of three young men in suits standing beside three young women in matching short dresses, two holding trumpets, on a stage labeled "Pageant Trumpeters. — USHistoryUncovered

16. ‘My Mom’s Yearbook, Late 1970s’

A group of high school students, mostly male, pose outside in front of a large “Key Club” sign for a yearbook photo. Some students are sitting on the ground, while others kneel or stand behind them. — jubsmcdubs

17. Lunch May Have Ended, But the People-Watching Was Just Getting Started

Black and white photo of teens at school; boys sit on steps watching girls walk by. Some students are standing and chatting outside a building. Caption reads, “Happiness is ‘girl watching’ in the quadrangle after lunch in the cafeteria.” — USHistoryUncovered

18. Big Smiles and Even Bigger Hair: Serving on the Homecoming Committee in the ’70s

Black and white photo of ten smiling young women in dresses and wide-brimmed hats, holding bouquets, seated and standing in two rows. Text above reads they were elected to the Homecoming Court of 1970-1971. — USHistoryUncovered

Nostalgic for vintage school days?

Take a look at 20 School Photos That Show Just How Much Has Changed Since the ’70s. Plus, you might also be interested in 11 Photos of School Lunch Menus Over the Years and 15 Old Playgrounds That Should Have Been Illegal.