Leominster High School - Magnet Yearbook (Leominster, MA)

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INTRODUCTION The College Course at L. H. S. prepares the students for entrance to any of the major colleges by giving a well-balanced course of English, science, mathematics, language, social studies, and physical educa- tion. The Commercial Course offers pupils a chance to become secretaries or accountants. Their course consists of commercial studies and any of the electives which are offered. The Co-operative Curriculum develops the hand skills of the pupils. Members alternate their weeks between vocational school and high school and thus have a chance to participate in outside activities. The first honor roll requires three and one-half A’s: the second, three and one-half B’s, and the third, an average of three and one-half B’s. For his senior graduation, the pupil must have a total of one hundred twenty scholastic points. The major subjects are worth ten points while the electives vary according to their importance. ENGLISH DEPARTMENT The various divisions of the English Department attempt to develop in the students the ability to read understandingly, to communicate clearly, pleasantly, and forcefully, and to think intelligently and comprehensively. These factors are brought out by writing unified, coherent, forceful compositions; by reading the works of standard authors of the past and present; by the study and application of grammatical and rhetorical principles; by increasing the vocabulary; and by oral compositions and discussions. PUBLIC SPEAKING The Public Speaking Class enables the student to develop any special talent he 10 Gi 6 WY may have in the mest essential speaking skills. The assignments include student lectures, oral reading of prose and poetry, recitations, the production of several plays, and many special individual projects through- out the school year. FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT The Language Department aims to organise the work so as to prepare the students adequately for entrance to col- leges or scientific schools where standards are exacting. Two-year courses in German, Latin, Italian and a three-year course in French are offered. For the benefit of those students who are not going to college, sufficient material is offered to enable them to enter various professions, hold clerical positions, or to become translators. The department feels that there is no greater advancement made towards world peace than to learn to know various countries through talking and using their languages. PLANE GEOMETRY Plane Geometry is required in preparing for entrance to the majority of colleges because no other subject trains the mind so well in the habits of correct reasoning. The course alms to teach the students: (1) to investigate the facts before drawing con- clusions, (2) to discover relationships which may connect the facts, (3) to base each specific statement on a reliable general principle, (4) to predict the inevitable outcome of given data, and (5) to choose and apply the general rule pertaining to any particular case. This subject gives to the student basic training in systematic creative thinking that helps to get the maximum benefit from the study of other subjects. It also promotes the ability to recognize weak links in false reasoning and to arrive at sound judgments in the every-day world.

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ulum SOLID GEOMETRY A thorough knowledge of plane geometry is necessary for the mastering of solid geometry; for this subject, which is a must in the field of engineering, develops the ability to visualize, to use formulas, and to think in three dimensions. BUSINESS MATHEMATICS To aid in developing good citizenship through teaching the fundamental business which everyone should understand, to aid in discovering aptitudes and interests, to give general business information — these are the aims in the course in business mathe- matics which this school offers. FUNCTIONAL MATHEMATICS This type of mathematics is taken only by those students who are enrolled in our co-operative course. The aim here is to repair the students’ weaknesses in ele- mentary arithmetic, to teach speed and accuracy in the solving of problems, and to acquaint the students with the practical uses of tables and formulas. ALGEBRA The aims of Algebra I and II are divided into three classes: (1) practical —use of formulas and graphs, the ability to solve problems, the interpretation of statisti- cal data; (2) disciplinary—clear thinking and accuracy, analysis of situations, relations between values; (8) cultural—appreciation of mathematics, inter-dependence of arith- metic and science, and consistency of mathe- matics in daily affairs. TRIGONOMETRY This phase of arithmetic deals with the use of formulas, tables, graphs, and the workings of the slide rule. The subject is 11 necessary for people planning to enter into construction work, aviation, navigation, etc. SCIENCE DEPARTMENT The physics and chemistry courses give the students practice in applying the mathe- matics they have received in the College Preparatory Course in order that they may be admitted to and remain in the school of their choice. Practical physics and chemistry are designed for those pupils who do not desire college training but who wish to be aided in selecting some interesting form of work as a means of livelihood in our complicated industrial world. Science I, II, and III are designed to co-operate with the Saxon Trade School in enabling co-operative students to get as much information in biology and physics as can be fitted into the limited time when they are at our school. BOOKKEEPING I and II This course includes the study of transactions, drafts, statements, journals, classifications, promissory notes, and ac- counts. The objectives are divided into three groups: (1) To help develop imagination, vis- ion, and the ability to think and to analyze. (2) To inculeate a sense of responsi- ibility, dependability, and good work habits. (3) To keep a set of books in a business organization, whether an individual, partner- ship, or a corporation. TYPEWRITING J, II, and III This complete study of typing covers problems of personal typing, business letters, dictation, and straight book work. To