Greenbrier Military School - Yearbook (Lewisburg, WV)

Page 27 text:

SMALL CLASSES ALLOW INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION Top-These students are busy with .an assignment in mechanical drawing class. Bottom-An interested student receives personal instruction in the chemistry laboratory

Page 26 text:

Boys may be admitted at any time and at any age, but the earlier a boy is placed in the school the better will be the result. Ir is a recognized truth that a boy badly started had far better not be started at 1111, As a matter of fact, in some cases about half our time and energy is taken up in trying to help a student to overcome careless habits acquired under unskilled, indifer- ellf, il100H1P6tel1t, 01' 0Ve1'W0rk6d teachers- We would, therefore, urge that parents send us their boys at as early an age as possible, in order ro get the most value from our training. Advantage of Small Classes At Greenbrier the number of cadets is limited to approximately three hundred and seventy- five. We believe that with this limit on numbers we are in a position to give much better care and attention to your boy as an individual. We rarely place over eighteen boys in a class, and in most cases classes number fifteen or less. Many of the classes are divided into three or more sections. You will agree, we are sure, that this matter of small classes is of great importance, and our plan is an advantageous improvement over the crowded conditions which necessarily exist in many high schools. 25

Page 28 text:

INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION We believe the strength of our academic program lies in the fact we emphasize a continual process of understanding guidance and intelligent individual assistance which encourages a student to work for improvement. When your son comes to Greenbrier he is interviewed personally by the superintendent, the dean, or the headmaster. He is then placed in the proper classes for work and instruction. The headmaster directs our carefully worked out testing program. Each fall a battery of tests is given to each cadet. These tests yield a score on general scholastic ability as well as an achieve- ment score on reading, arithmetic, and English. This information is at the disposal of the superin- tendent, who uses it in conferences with individual cadets. The information is often helpful to instruc- tors and faculty advisers. These scores are accugnulative for each cadet, making it possible to judge the degree of improvement shown during his academic career here. Afternoon Coaching Classes Our instructors spend much time showing their pupils how to prepare the classwork. We insist they do not attempt simply to get answers from the pupil, but that they show him how to get the work. Because of our small classes, each boy has an opportunity to recite each day as well as a chance to ask about everything he does not understand. Our instructors do not teach subjects as much as they teach boys. We want our cadets to know how to think for themselves, how to obtain knowl- edge and apply it. The great majority of our students become interested in their classwork and learn to master it. Twice weekly each instructor holds special afternoon coaching' classes. If the instructor feels your son needs additional explanation and practice in his work, the boy will be required to attend this coaching class. Others may come voluntarily, and many avail themselves of this special instruction. Help in Study Hall Our faculty officers meet with the superintendent each Monday morning. Boys who have averaged eighty per cent or above are allowed to study each evening in their rooms. The Oflicer-in- Charge makes regular rounds and is available for help with lessons. Boys who have made a lower grade study in a supervised night study hall during the regular evening study period of two hours and twenty minutes, including a recess at 8:30 p.m. We want you to know that this is not the type of study hall where boys in their rooms are visited occasionally by faculty officers. Such a method is far easier on school authorities and of far less value to the students. Our students are assembled in a large well-ventilated and lighted study hall under the constant supervision of two or more experienced teachers who give assistance at all times and are glad to show a boy how to study. All your son has to do is to hold up his hand and an instructor will help him with any knotty problems. 27