Abstract Koto Gadang is a unique Nagari. Many educated people were born in this small village. This raises several questions, including why are so many educated figures born in Nagari Koto Gadang? and how the people of Nagari Koto Gadang developed their education. This research uses a historical research method which consists of several steps, namely: first heuristics, second source criticism, third verification, and fourth historiography. Based on the research conducted, it can be concluded: that first, the people of Nagari Koto Gadang have figures who care about the educational progress of their Nagari. Second, the Nagari Koto Gadang figures took advantage of their good relations with the Colonials. Third, these figures can read changes in the current and future situation so that future needs can be met, one of which is by prioritizing mastery of foreign languages other than the existing Malay/Indonesia languages. Fourth, the success achieved by the people of Nagari Koto Gadang is used as a reference to ...