Brandywine High School - Azurean Yearbook (Wilmington, DE)

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The Brandywine Story At the end of World War I, Brandywine Hundred, the largest geographical area in New Castle County, was populated by 124 families who lived on rolling farm- land that extended north and east from Wilmington to the Pennsylvania line. The Concord Pike, even then a main artery of traffic, was a toll road. Pioneer families such as the Sharpleys, Hanbys, Talleys, Weldins, Websters, Zebleys, and Mousleys paid a Sc toll to travel its distance to Wilmington City. Business activity included a few lumber, woolen, grist, and snuff mills. Grades 1 to 8 were contained in schools at Rockland, Sharpley, Eight Square, and Point Breeze. . Q Such was the rural background from which the Alfred I. duPont School District was moulded. Time-a quarter century, to frame its passing-has altered the land- scape almost completely. New Castle County, in which we occupy the northern sector, now has a population of over 300,000 and is considered to be one of the fastest growing communities in the United States today. v ' . Its people live in a middle to high socio-economic bracket. National origins are largely English and German. Many are college graduates who come to our com- munity from all parts of the world, and are employed in business and professional capacities. Many factors contribute to the attractiveness of the district. Opportunities for relaxation in the community or nearby vicinity include a new branch library, theater, music, art, a variety of clubs, and sports such as golf, swimming, bowling, horseback riding, baseball and softball. Many of our families, through the agency of their occupations, have lived in many parts of the United States and countries abroad, and are extremely interested in the educational growth and development of their young people. They have been accustomed to good schools and are keenly interested in the programs of all schools wherever their employment carries them. There is evidence in the make-up of our student body of an academic zeal for learning. This is turned into competitive achievement, which combined with native ability sets high standards of performance' which are adhered to consistently. The typical student is an outgoing person, one who adopts and uses social graces with ease. A natural curiosity stimulates an active interest in the total school picture. Alfred I. duPont Elementary School, the pioneer institution in our district, was founded in 1930 and had an original enrollment of 253. Since then, our school system has expanded to include two additional elementary schools and a iunior high school, all of which send their students to Brandywine High School. The largest of the elementary schools, located on Foulk Road, was completed in 1954. Lombardy, the infant prodigy among the grade schools opened its doors to 600 pupils in Sep- tember of 1959. At the secondary level, Springer Junior High's two story plan, capable of housing 1000 and expandable to 1200 students, continues to hold its high academic standards established since its dedication in February, 1958. Brandywine High School was occupied in February, 1959. Originally planned to house 750, it was completed to accommodate 1000, and can be expanded to provide educational facilities for approximately 1600 students. The high school had 37 classrooms, one gymnasium and a library. Site improvements, including an athletic field and tennis courts, will be carried out during 1960. The Alfred I. duPont School District has come a long way since its modest begin- ning. Many people-parents,'teachers, students, and interested citizens-have con- tributed to this growth and development. Yet plans to provide for the future are still being made. Even now construction is in progress on an additional iunior high school. The high academic standards and traditions of school spirit and pride are results of not only potential, but also a well-balanced program which has been carefully planned and administered. Our school life is a living experience as well as a preparation for the future. This is our design.

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The Experience of the Past MISS LILLIAN B. DAVIS . . . our good friend and teacher through long years until her death in 1959. Alfred I. duPont Elementary Schooi, the first school in the district, was buiit in T930 with funds donated by Alfred I, duPont, The Older I grow, the more I am convinced that there is no education which one can get from books and costly apparatus that is equal to that which can be gotten from Contact with great men and women. Booker T. Washington A Back round of Tradition

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