The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-04-18
RISE AND PROGRESS OF
HILLSDALE UNION
SCHOOL.
i.ist OF OFFICERS and Teachers iron,
Its Organization to the Present
Time.

The following history OF Hillsdale
Union School. has been compiled for
the records OF Michigan institutions,
TO be forwarded to Philadelphia for
the Centennial celebration:
UNION SCHOOL ORGANIZATION.
The first effort to orgonize a school
within the present boundaries Of the
City OF Hillsdale, was made in the year
1S4l. The nucleus OF the present dis
trict was then formed and steps taken
to build a house commensurate with its
wants. In 1912 small, one story
house was erected, that Accommodated
the wants OF the community until the
year lsi7. At that tims the popula-
ton had SO increased that accommoda-
tons on a grander scale were demand
ed, and the district, ia the fall of lS47.
voted to build Q new house, costing
not to exceed two thousand five hun
dred dollars, and to be constructed
either Of wood, brick, OF stone, as
might in the judgment OF the board
and those associated with them rs
building committee, seem most econo-
mical. II was finally decided to build
stone which were quarried near the
present city limits. The house con-
structed was two stories in height, and
by "crammingn as wns frequently the
case in those days, would accommodate
two hundred and fifty pupils. II was
completed in the year 164S, aud in
September, l849. the district organized
in accordance with the session laws OF
that year, and the following named
gentlemen were elected as the school
board:
Samuel Chandler, Moderator.
Robert Allen, Director.
Haynes johnson, Assessor.
Trustees-Henry Waldron, Daniel l..
Pratt, Andrew Weir, Allen Hammond.
The Rev. Stephen G. Hicock, A. NJ,
was engaged af Principal for the sue
cesding year ut salary OF $500. 90,
with Miss Lawrence, Miss Ford, Miss
Z. Hammond, as assistants. Miss
Lawrence was paid $500 per month;
Miss Ford and Miss Hammond $500
per month, Of twenty-six days each.
Very little attention was paid at this
time 10 grading, and a regular course
OF study was hardly 10 be thought Of.
As a rule, scholars brought TO school
such books as they happened to be in
possession of, and pursued such stud
les as their own fancy dictated.
Owing to the beautiful situation Of
the place, the most excellent and fer
tile country adjoining il, and the Rail-
road facilities 1t enjoyed, it soon out
grew these accommodations, and in
1860 the district was compelled to build
two Ward houses in opposite parts of
the city, capable Of accommodating one
hundred and fifty pupils; and again in
1862 two more were built. capable OF
accommodating as many more. With
these accommodations n thorough sys-
TEN Of grading was commenced. The
school was divided into three depart.
ments: Primary, intermediate and
High School; q. course Of study was
adopted, and very marked improve
ment made in every particular.
The school continued with the afoIc.
said accommodations until the year
1857, when the city was again compell-
eel to increase its school privileges.
At this time steps were taken TO build
house commensurate with the present
aud immediate prospective wants OF
the place.
The result was the building of the
present beautiful Central building in
the year 1868. This building is com
pleted in very subtaintial and com
modious manner, and will nccommo-
date, in the most perfect way. five hun.
dred pupils. The building is heated
by furnaces, and is seated with single
seats and desks OF the most spprayed
pattern, which are valued most highly
by both teachers and pupils. At the
time OF taking possession Of the new
building, the school was divided into
four departments; Primary, Intermc-
diate, Grsmmar aud High School. The
course Of study in both Primary aud
intermediate Departments is limited tn
three years; in the Grammar School TO
two years, aod in the High School 10
three years.
Zach Primary and intermediates
School is divided into three grades OF
about twenty pupils each, and one di-
vision is graduated each year, and an
other il admitted. In q school OF this
sire, such a division has many com
mepjsble features, aud works with as
. little friction, perhaps, as any that
could be adopted. No scholar is grad.
uated from one department TO another
without thoroughly understanding the
studies taught IN bis grade. This is
J decided by thorough examination
conducted by the Principal, taken in
connection with the pupils general
standing during the year, as indicated
by the teachers record. Promotion,
ss a rule. are made at the end OF the
term, but IL teacher finds scholar in
one grade capable Of doing the work
in the work in the next one above. he
may be promoted at and time during
the year.
The Board OF Trustees consists OF
six members; two elected each year
aud Two retiring from Office. Each
member holds his Office three years.
The officers Of the Board consist Of
OF Director, Moderator, and Assessor,
and they have uniformly made IL a rule
that no member shall receive any com
pensation for transacting the ordinary
business pertaining 10 the school.
According TO the regulations Of this
school, IL is made the duty Of the Prin-
cipal TO spend such portion ~ his
time in general supervision, as tho con-