New Trier Township High School - Echoes Yearbook (Winnetka, IL)

Page 16 text:

eager to quit. These students usually raise their scholastic standards' to a point where they become valuable members of their class- es. A great saving for the taxpayers is an- other result of this program, in that courses are not repeated nearly as often as they would be otherwise, The failure rate has been reduced from 16W of the school to tlfk, which in itself should signify the suc- cess of this experiment- ' The first summer school was conducted in 1917. Its primary purpose was to repeat those courses which had been widely failed. Throughout the years, however, summer school at New Trier has come to have other purposes. Although repeating students do account for a fair percentage ,of summer school attendance, the majority of students take courses which would not otherwise fit into their programs, and to finish other courses so as to make room for heavier pro- grams in the normal school year. Through taking summer school courses, some students accumulate the necessary graduation credits in three rather than the customary four years. Many incoming freshmen attend summer school to familiarize themselves with the school plant, and to take the required course, Minors IF, so as to lighten their fall sched- ules. Many non-academic courses are also offered at summer school, including baseball, art, driving, gymnastics, and several others. Page I0 Since the school's opening, the curriculum has encompassed a great variety of useful courses. ln 1901 almost all the regular aca- demic courses were offered, as well as a few subjects then considered rather radical. Commercial courses were first taught in 1902, Home Economics in 1904, and Music and Physical Education in 1906. Spanish was added in 1910, and Greek dropped three years later, when it was generally eliminated from college entrance requirements. French, Latin, and German had been taught from the first. In 1921 Zoology and Botany were com- bined into Biology, and, also at this time, the first formal course in Public Speaking was of- fered. A senior English course emphasizing dramatics and the theatre was added in 1924, and Sociolo y was also added. The Home Economics lgepartment increased the curric- ulum by the addition of a course in Home Management, now called Consumers' Educa- tion, in 1926, and Hrst offered Interior Deco- rating in 1933. Courses in Radio and Indus- trial Arts were added to the curriculum in the 1930's. Great Books, a course inaugu- rated by the University of Chicago, was first offered to New Trier seniors in 1945, and is now very popular. An Aeronautics course was widely studied during the war years by boysranticipating Armed Service careers, but at the close of the war the course was dis- continued- 1947 saw the addition of four

Page 15 text:

puppeteerg Iames Alsdorf, '31-president of the Cory Corporation: Whitfield Cook, '26- Hollywood scenario writer: Iohn Weese, '37 -twice winner of the Chicago Tribunals annual Better Homes contest: Harrison Storms, '34-chief engineer of the North American Company, Nancy Borregard, '41 -Guggenheim traveling fellowship winner: Charlton Heston, '41-popular actor of Hol- lywood and Broadway: and Royal Lewando, '42-artist and exhibitor at the Art Institute- These are but a small fraction of the many New Trier graduates who have distinguished themselves and their school. Through Mr, Gaffney's entering New Trier in the Eight Year Experiment, the high school's courses are of an exceptionally varied and thorough nature. As we have previously mentioned, ua, and x courses are offered in most subjects. The specification was made that no student should be permanently classified as poor or exceptional, but that by showing due improvement, any student could raise his sec- tion. In some cases, students discover that they could accomplish more at a lower course level, and this change is made with equal fa- cility. The poorer students first take a reme- dial course in reading if they are deficient in w that field, for it has been proven that an in- adequate background in reading is often the basis for all scholastic difficulties. If retest- ing indicates improvement, students' classifi- cations may be raised, although there is no penalty attached to being in an X class. Of equal importance are the remedial courses in mathematics, history, and in almost all oth- er subjects. The or velocity classes, are able to cover more material in the allot- ted time, and can gain more from the material offered because, in most cases, they are al- ready familiar with the fundamentals of the courses. Superior students may take an addi- tional course each year, and special courses are offered them, In the freshman year, above-average students elect a combined course in English-Science-History, and, as sophomores, they register for English-Social Studies. Similar courses are taken in the en- suing school years. This means of locating the right course levels for all students has met with remarkable success. Not only has it greatly speeded up individual progress, but it has reduced the drop-out rate amazingly. Less intelligent students discover that they can cope with lower level New Trier courses, whereas at other schools, they would un- doubtedly have become discouraged and 5, 3 9. 45' 4' -J' 'K 5 A 0 ill ' l:l. 11 ...:. - A NEW auuwmc ma'-I MANUAL Euucnnou Cow' poo,- man cdum WWG: uzsur: GATES svn u-ua mas was MAIN WEST ELG' 'axsr W Aoomou fn- N25 Awmou at t AZLNLWS- asoq HOB, GYM5 AND cnsu Ao- ICIOI ' 15' P00l- .oeomus l. Music omsmm. NW SLG- scuooi. smov 'v' , W' tqso DINING nm. HALL5 - , X ' Fill AND X90 I ak in n nu AUDITORKUVIY uemm f mn. ,, , mn ld -:. , I la I IA ll 4 '.-4 -'s K ' Hi: 4 -f1L,.Lf fa '24 9 Page 9

Page 17 text:

new courses: Science IV, Far Eastern His- tory, Photography, and Auto Driving. New Trier's very popular Auto Driving course was begun when Mr. Gibson, return- ing from the war, realized the potential bene- fits. Local dealers have annually provided new, dual-control cars, thereby greatly de- creasing the school's expenses. New Trier is one of the comparatively few schorils which offer both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction to driving pupils. Mr. Gibson is assisted in teaching this course by Mr. Cram- let and Mr. Molinsky, both of whom are reg- ularly in the Boys' Gym Department. The insertion of this course into school'curricu- lum has been very profitable, reducing acci- dent rates as much as 50923 in some areas of the United States. Even when students are already familiar with driving fundamentals, they profit greatly from this course, because their highway courtesy is awakened and any bad habits are replaced with safe ones. The Bookstore of New Trier was situated originally in the Girls' Club Office, after which it was moved to what is now Mr, Car- penter's office. As the demand for supplies increased, it became necessary to find larger quarters, and the Bookstore was moved to its present location. It has always maintained its goal of efficient, speedy service, and in doing so has well succeeded. Students are em- ployed to sell supplies before and after school, under faculty supervision. Selling at a very small profit, the Bookstore donates all its proceeds to the Student Activity Fund. '01 '05 '10 '15 '20 '25 '30 '35 210 '45 'Sl NUMBER OF GRADUATES- NEW TRIER HIGH SCHOOL 1901-I9-5 596 563642521622 590 581 I 500 , 724 , 53 2 52 500' 1 49 . 405 400' 5 36 ' P 3 14 3 2 27 300 ' 247 0: 200l 115 111 100 1 '04 ' 4239 'l 95m f , 7 . 15 1424182 . g O ' Q Page I I