Central High School - Cotton Boll Yearbook (Jackson, MS)

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file Clzeme In commemoration of the im- provements and e X p a n s io n made, and in honor of those men and Women Who contributed their service and love in build- ing Jackson schools, We have chosen Fifty Years of Prog- ress as our theme. May the progress of the past fifty years inspire those who follow us to reach even greater heights.

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isfory of Jackson EDU656 Scfwofs Since before the Civil War Jackson has been an educational center. In the early days of our city when it was no more than a rambling village built along the road from Terry to Clinton fnow known as State Streetj and also along the A. and V. railroad, then the only railroad passing through Jackson, there were boarding schools and public schools. The first public school, consist- ing of two buildings, one for girls and the other for boys, was located on what was known as College Green situated on North Street between High and Missis- sippi streets. During the Civil War the girls' school was blown up and several persons were killed. This misfortune left only the boys' building to be used as a public school. This building was occupied until 1887, at which time Jackson was beginning to feel the inadequacy of its school system. Realizing this lack, public spirited citizens of Jackson met and voted for the establishment of the first graded school which opened its doors in December, 1888. Nearly four hundred pupils enrolled, only thirteen of them beyond the eighth grade. Since that time, the buildings have increased until at present there are twelve buildings to house the student body of nine thousand boys and girls. Further evidence of the school's tremendous growth is shown in a com- parison of the original graduating class of five members with the three hundred and seventy-five members of the golden anniversary class. Throughout years of growth, the Jackson Public Schools have added many subjects and eliminated others in order to keep up with the best practices in educational technique. Music, Chemistry, Art, Manual Training, Commercial Work, Home Economics, Physical Education, and Visual Education are those subjects which have been added to meet the increasing demands of the students. The school system has been exceedingly fortunate in the men who have been its leaders. J. C. Brooks, J. C. Hardy, Robert Torry, Edward L. Bailey, and James Chastain were the superintendents preceding Mr. Kirby P. Walker, who has been serving since January, 1937. The teachers, some seven hundred and sixty-eight of them, who have served under these leaders, have been most competent and thorough, not only in teaching subjects, but also in teaching morals and standards for living. It is with pride that Jackson looks back on its Fifty Years of Progress in building a public school systemg. it is with hope that Jackson looks forward to the many years of progress in the future.