La Porte High School - El Pe Yearbook (La Porte, IN)

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T H i M A r L li Page seven its beginning. The American Encyclo- paedia, Chambers,Cyclopaedia of English Literature, a number of histories, and other works were purchased. Two years later the inventor'- showed a list of 369 volumes. In 187 too, we first hear of a chorus with a course in harmony for jun- ior -and senior classes. In 1877, the seating capacity of the assembly room was taxed to its utmost and for a period of two years, juniors and seniors were obliged to do their studying at home, coming to school only for recitations. !n 1883, the college course was extend- ed in history and English. The German and Latin courses were abandoned and in their places were created two English courses. One of these, the short English course, covered all the work of the ninth and tenth grades and was especially adapted to pupils who wished to enter commercial pursuits. The full English course covered the work of four years and was adapted to the wants of young people who did not intend to enter col- lege. Mention should be made of the fact that at about this time the physical laboratories in the basement of the build- ing were enlarged. In 1887 the La Porte High School was placed on the three years’ accredited list of Michigan. Indiana and Purdue univer- sities. In 1890 the art department was organ- ized and two years later the commercial department. In 1894 the present high school building was erected. In 1005 there was established a regularly organ- ized department of manual training with equipment tor bench work, sloyd and pat- tern making; and a domestic science de- partment with equipment for instruction in sewing and cooking. The High School Alumni Association has done much toward establishing these branches in the schools. Those pupils in attendance during the ’90's will remember with pleasure the various entertainments and cantatas giv- en, the proceeds of which went to pur- chase the pictures and statuary distribu- ted in the assembly and recitation rooms. In 1892 the commencement exercises took their present form. Before this, class histories, prophecies, etc., were read on Thursday and the essays written by the various members of the class, at com- mencement, on Friday. At present there is some discussion a to whether the for- mer plan is not the better one. The present high school offers four years’ work in each of the following: English, history, science, commercial branches, Latin, art (pictorial), art (dec- orative), art (technical), manual train- ing, music and mathematics. The German work is a three years’ course. These stud- ies are grouped into the Latin, scientific, commercial and industrial courses. Dur- ing the last few years other changes have been made, all tending to raise the standard of the school and to increase the efficiency of its work. The La Porte High School is a member of the North Central Association of Col- leges and Secondary Schools; this means that the colleges and universities of the middle west are willing to accept for en- trance requirements, the work done in our school. The eastern colleges and universities are gradually recognizing the members of this association, until now nearly all of them will admit our stu- dents on the certificate plan, requiring very few examinations. This speaks well for the grade of work done in the high school. 5-. S.

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 ’•» • fix T H li M A r L H lustnru nf the Ha Jartc iJiglf riuml JASPER PACKARD HH N the year 1833 the first school (v) house was built in the citv of La- t’orte. It was constructeil of logs not unlike the cabins of pioneer days, 'flic graded schools were established in 1856, and in the same year a school building was erected in each ward. After the first term a grammar department was opened in an old frame building belonging to Y. I). Farnsworth, which stood not far from the present location of the high school building. A high school department was soon organized which was first taught by Jasper Packard, who later served with distinction in the army and still later was elected representative to congress. The upstairs of the old Porter school was used for the first high school classes. In 1863. under the direction of Judge 1 lannah. Rev. Noyes, and Lafayette Crane, the high school building known now as the Central School was erected. At this time only the first floor was fin- ished. the high school classes using one of the upper rooms, unplastered, for rec- itation. At this time, too, Noble Street between Clay and lackson Streets was dosed, thus giving the entire square for school purposes. The school year of 1869-70 enrolled sixty pupils in the high school with an average attendance of forty-five. This school year consisted of ten months. There were two course offered: tire English department, which required arithmetic, grammar, natural history, physiology, chemistry, rhetoric. English literature trigonometry, moral science, botany and astronomy; and the classical department, which required Latin, arith- metic, physiology, book-keeping, Greek, algebra, trigonometry and astronomy, and offered French as an optional study. The class of 1869 enrolled two gradu- ates: the class of 1870, ten. Non-resident pupils were charged ten dollars for the first term and eight dollars for each sub- sequent term. In 1872 the upper story of the Central building was completed. The assembly room was fitted up with furniture of the latest and most approved pattern, seats to the number of 144 being provided and an organ added. Soon after, a school bell, the purchase of which had been urged for some time, was hung in the tower so that it shall speak with no uncertain sound to all the city and its environs. Its ab- sence has proved demoralizing to both teacher nad parents.” In the school year of 1872-73 the course called English de- partment was changed to the term, gen- eral course, and that of classical depart- ment to college preparatory course. In 1873, the library can he said to have had

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P tt tight T H E M A 1 L E (Tin' ffinpk :§ taff Editor in Chief Van Dien Terry. Associate Editor I ., i Ivcrs ilcox. Literary. Donald Crawford. Athletics ........... lfrtd llorinann Music and Dramatics ....Ruth Mann. Exchange . Katherine ITancis Jokes ..Warren T. Mithoff. Art Ihisiness Manager Associate business Manager . . . . •acuity Treasurer