Gainesville High School - Hurricane Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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GAINESYILLE HIGH SVI-IOOL, 1915 The remaining three units are to be selected from the following: ltlathematicsz 1 or 12 units: V. S. History and Civics: 1 unit: English History: 1 unit: French: 2 unitsg Chemistry: 1 unit. Let us give our attention for a while to the dillerent departments and see what constitutes these units otlered. English is taught throughout the four years of the course, in the first and second yea1's the structure of sentences, paragraphs, and compo- sitions is studied along with several classics. In the junior year American literature and some classics-mostly American-are studied: while in the senior year English literature and classics are taken up. In connection with our English department it might be well to mention our library, to which are added 1no1'e and more books as money becomes available. Of the mathematics, algebra and plane geometry, the only two requir- ed, are taken up in the ninth and tenth grades. Then there is a year of advanced algebra and also a half year of trigonometry and solid geometry each, for those who care to take it up. In history, as in mathematics, there are only two units required: those of ancient and medieval and modern being given in the tirst two years. Additional units can be secured in Iflnglish history and United States his- tory with civics. If we have any desire to travel, the modern languages open a new Iield to us. So far French is the only foreign language taught, but we are expecting German to be added to our curriculum before long. In connection with the languages, we find Latin placed as a help at all times. In the first year a thorough grounding of the essentials of forms and constructions is given: then the second year Caesar is pursued: the third year Cicero, and the fourth year Vergil, claims the student who takes the Latin course. But in the science course we have the best equipment and widest range found in all the departments of the high school. This year a thousand dollars has been spent on the science department alone, and next year will doubtless see many needed improvements along this, the most interesting side of a high school course. In the hrst year is taught a book embracing the essentials of botany, Zoology, biology, physiology, chemistry, physics, and hygiene. The next year biology is taught as a separate text. But the next year comes the subject which delights many and terrifies others- physics. It is then we come into the privilege of going to the laboratory and Working out for ourselves many things which are stated as so in the book but which we find much easier to see after several periods of work in the laboratory. If physics has pleased us, and in many instances when 8

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GAINESYILLE HIGH SFHOOL. 1915 the Iinancial side of his duties that the credit of the county school fund is excelled in no other County in the State. Our trustees, Major W. R. Thomas, chairman of the Board, Mr. Geo. P. Long. secretary, and Mr. W. Il. McKinstry, elected last spring, are three of the most progressive and public spirited men to be found anywhere. They understand the needs of the school and how most effectively to meet those needs with the funds at their disposal. The OlliC6 of a trustee is with- out remuneration of any kind and such services as we are getting from these men are all the more appreciated since we know their motive can be none other than that of the best interests and welfare of the Gainesville High School. By the combined eilorts of the superintendent, trustees and faculty, the school has become one of the best in the South. HENRY O. TAYLOR. A GENERAL STATEMENT OF WVHAT THIS SCHOUL IS To be a member of the Southern Association of High Schools is a goal toward which every ambitious high school works. This honor has been conferred upon our Gainesville High School for 1914-15. There are several qualifications necessary for such membership. One of them is an average of not over thirty pupils to each teacher. Another benefit we derive from being an accredited high school is that no teacher has more than five classes a day: hence the conscientious teacher can do better work than is possible if all the live and a half hours are spent in teaching. To the student who looks forward to college, there is still a greater benefit in attending our High Schoolg our graduates are admitted without examination to any of the Southern colleges. A little mental arithmetic has no doubt already shown you that there are some hundred and fifty pupils in the High Schoolg about sixty of these are boys and ninety are girls. The student who takes the high school course is required to have six- teen units for graduation. These units are distributed thus: English ....... -1 units History. . . . . .2 units Mathematics. . .2 units Physics. . . . . . .1 unit Science or Latin ...... -1 units. 7

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GAINESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, 1915 it has been a bit dry, how much more does the study which we have the next year appeal to us. Yes, chemistry is ha1'd, but when you have made from two poisonous elements a necessity of life used on the table every day, how much more you feel like school is really worth more after all than mere memorizing of dry facts. There are three more departnients which I might mention in passing, for while not connected with the school, still as they are patronized by many of the pupils they do affect the school. To each of these tuition is charged and no credit is given in the final sixteen units. Briefly these are the departments of music. expression, and art, the first two being taught on the school grounds and the third in a private home. In short, the Gainesville High School tries to give to its graduates that liberal education which, in the words of Horace Mann, alone can con- duct them to that enjoyment which is, at once, lxest in quality and infinite in quantity. EFFIE HOLFS. THE GAINESVILLE SENIOR IIIGH SCHOOL The Gainesville High School, as now controlled, is one of the best in the State of Florida. Not only does it rank among the highest in this State, but has recently been recognized as one of the leading institutions of its kind in the Southern States, having been this year admitted to the Southern Association of Accredited High Schools. The question might be asked, How did the Gainesville High School come to be one of the best in the South '? We only have to point to our local School Board of Trus- tees for the answer. We do not exclude the County School Board from their share of the glory, for they have done much to give to us our present stand- ing. Also our very efficient County Superintendent of Public Schools has worked untiringly for the good of Gainesville High School, as has he for schools throughout Alachua County. Last, but not at all the least, we would point to the citizens of Gainesville as a great factor in helping to raise the standards of our school. They have worked with a zeal incompar- able toward giving their children a more efficient school. Especially do We mention the Ladies' School Improvement Association. It has ever been their aim to advance the facilities of the school by adding to our library, by beautifying our campus, and by countless other things they are doing every day. The Gainesville High School has always been considered as a county ' 9