Sparta High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Sparta, IL)

Page 15 text:

semis HIGH scuooglotiigiluea. from year to year and their tuition lightened the High School taxes. These students were found to be unusually moral, intelligent and industrious. They formed an element ot strengthfand power in school and did mueh toward raising its standing hoth at home and abroad. The many vdueational faoilities otfered by the High Svhool indueed a large number of good fami - lies to 4-miie fu Sparta to eflueate their vhildren. These and immy other things whit-h might lw llltllllllibllvtl l1'SS0lll fil the lllblhtvtslllllll to the svhool :md gave it zu lirm hold in the eominiiiiity. lt is now firmly estaililislied with :i eourse of study :md an enrollment which entitles it to a plawe ainoiig the Very best high schools in the State. lt yearly sends out large classes with diplomas which per- mit entrance into any college in Illinois. As stated in the MIR- ROR of 1902 the honor of graduating the f i r s t class belong to Mrs.F.R. Urothers. Up to the time sheen- tered t h e HighSehool as its prin- t- i p a l the teaching tm-tue W a s too s in a l l il ll d T ll e wourse o f study t o o

Page 14 text:

Qpatta ilaigh Qcbunl. J. general history of the SPARTA HIGH ' SCHOUL was so fully given in last year's Annual that a repetition here is un- 'iii'-fg nevessary. Many facts of interest uonnel-ted with the sf-hool were, however, omitted in last ye-ar's issue, and ai few of these may now he given. Strange as it may seein now, twenty-tive years ago quite ai number of proniinent Spartans were opposed to the High Svhool, and the opposition was such that it required great prudence on the part of the Board of Education, and great perse- VPl'2.lllC't' and sau-ritice on the part of the teachers to make it a success. But bythe quiet, persistent and united efforts of its friends it gradually gained in public honor. The number of non-resident students increased

Page 16 text:

seaara H1431-1 scaoorictmmuai. limited to justify an attempt at graduation. But as she gave her entire time to the High School and had the help of an assistant it was found possible to establish a regular course of study and organize classes for graduation. The first class, that of 1875, was a good class not only in natural ability and thoroughness in education, but also in social and moral qualities, which add luster to mental attainment. The example set by this class has had a bene- ticial influence on the succeeding classes, each of which has faithfully reproduced its characteristics, and the standing of the school has been raised so high that today it is no small honor to graduate from the SPARTA HIGH SCHOOL. The increase in the attendance of non-resident students attests well to the appreciation of the merits of the school. The enrollment this year was 81 resident and 90 non-resident pupils. The school is furnished with an eiiicient corps of teachers whose interest and proficiency in their work is well shown in the rapid progress of their pupils. The school not only looks to the development of the mental but also the physical powers of its students. It is an active member of the Egyptian High School League and last year it captured the athletic banner of that association. During the last year many new books have been added to the library and it now has 1,-100 volumes, including all standard works, as well as the most popular works of minor authors, also all reference works needed in connection with the school work. The museum of the school contains a great many objects of interest to science, literature and art. It has received quite a numher of new curi- osities during the tirst year which will repay in- spection.