Greenbrier Military School - Yearbook (Lewisburg, WV)

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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

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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

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Personal Conferences ln the Monday faculty meeting, an instructor who has found some particular cadet is having trouble with his subject will ask for the opinions of other teachers. The superintendent will pass along helpful information which has come to him. Often in one of these meetings the discussions result in a better understanding of specific problems and the cadets involved are helped to over- come those obstacles which had been causing a let down in classwork or making them discouraged. But the interest of the faculty does not stop there. Often an officer will request that a par- ticular cadet be allowed to visit his quarters for help with a particular lesson during study hall. Each faculty oihcer is Personal Adviser for approximately fifteen cadets. He keeps a friendly eye on their progress, and they feel free to go to him with personal problems as well as academic matters. This personal relationship often develops into a lifelong friendship. The boy may also visit the superintendent with any problem at any time. Col. J. M. Moore, calling on his wide experience training young people, holds personal conferences with cadets through- out the year. Col. W. J. Moore is also available to the cadets at any time. Each boy is called in by him at least once each month so a personal check may be made on his progress, but we emphasize the fact the boy may see either of these men any day. Monthly Reports Each teacher keeps a daily record of the recitations of all members of his classes. At the end of each month he records a general average, together with H, M, or L to indicate in which third of the class-highest, middle, or lowest-the student has placed. These reports are never inflated, but every consideration is given to each boy's effort, ability, and achievement. Cadets Studying in Their Own Room. 28