Wells High School - Abenaki Yearbook (Wells, ME)

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lal History The following individuals are members of that first graduating class at Wells High School in 1903: Starting at the center and Working to the left: Principal, George Parsons, Dwight Perkins, Lois Pope, Maude Harmond, Edith Lord, Lena Caine, Ethel Spiller, Lottie Wil- liams, Alice Campbell, Lance Eaton.

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Clair of 1921 Row One: Alice M. Moody, Dorothy M. Hatch, Paul L. Staples. R0u'T14-'os Principal Paul Hayes Mclntire, Clarence M. Littlefield, Lucy M. Snow, Ellwyn K. I Houston, Gladys M. Hill. The history of the Wells High School System began on March 20, 1715, when it was voted to hire a schoolmaster for all of Wells, his pay not to exceed twenty pounds per year, or sixty-live dol- lars, which is about one one-hundredth of a teach- er's salary today. School was to be taught for one-quarter of the year in Ogunquit, one-quarter of the year in Wells Branch, and one-half of the year in the center of town. School was in session the year round, except for several one- and two-week vacations. At first school was held in private homes, but in 1731 the citizenry of Ogunquit built the lirst one room schoolhouse in the area, followed by several other schools around town. Notable among these were the schools at Wells Branch, Merryland Ridge, and the center of town. In 1750 the schools were expanding, so the faculty was doubled. Now two teachers were to cover Ogunquit, Merryland, Kennebunk, CWells Branchj, and the other areas. The increase in teach- ers brought about an increase in the number of pupils attending school. From an original three students, the number jumped to forty-seven in 1879, fifty-nine in 1891, up to the present two hun- dred and fifty average enrollment.