The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-08-28
PROF: WRIGHT'S REPORT TO THE
SCHOOL BOARD.

To the Honorable Boorl Of Education Of
Vorthington, minnesota:
GENTLEMEN:-It is bit proper that
should make u statement to you and
through you to the people of Worth
ington in regard to the work Of tue
schsel for the past year. The interest
taken by the citizens Of Worthington
III the cause Of popular education, as
evidenced 10y the expense and care to
which they have gone to secure the best
facilities and one of the most beautiful
sites, demands unqualified appreciation.
and, as Principal, it has been my steady
aim to place the school, in all essentials.
on AL equal footing with the best in the
State.
The High School is an important
auxiliary, in fact, a necessary part to
the complete success of system of
graded schools. One advantage is, it
furnishes to all young people the facil-
tiles for good academic education at
home, ut a comparatively trifllng ex-
pense. Another IS. that it WHITES and
gives more definitaness to the work of
the lower grades. Under the workings
Of the State High School act it is the
connecting link between the common
schools on the one hand and the State
University on the other, thus making
it possible for many to secure univer-
sity education who would otherwise be
practically debarred from that privilege.
To make the system complete, a
course of study should be mapped out
Tor the country schools, which, when
satisfactorily completed. wonld entitle
each pupil to a certificate from the
on,,nfvy oa,norinf0n1onf 0f nho1 III
This certificate should entitle the pupil
to enter the High school in the same
manner that certificate from tho Ex.
aminer of the High school board of the
State passes the pupil to the University
in that study.
The work in tho High school haa
been in the main Satisfactory and sub.
stantial progress has been made
Glasses have passed the State examina
tiOn in geography, grammar, arithn1e
tic, physiology, latin grammar, Gle.
mentary algebra, physical geography
aud astronomy.
There have been two drawbacks tC
the best progress: One is that pupils
were admitted to the higher depart.
ment and the higher branches before
they were sufficiently drilled in the
elementary branches. Another has
been a tendency to drop out of schoo
| either for u few days at q time or q
whole term. The High school course
as required by the State is very full and
the only way that a pupil of ordinary
ability can complete it is by constant
application. The missing of a single
lesson may prove fatal; in fact, 1 thinl
there is more required than the ordinary
pupil can do in three years, there bein1
four years work, and recommend sucf
q change IN the course of study, al
outline of which is presented for you1
consideration.
The enrolment in the High schoo
during the year was 36, and the average
attendance 20. At the beginning o.
the year l commenced labering to Sc
cure raising OF the grades in all thu
lower departments, and in the mair
secured the corporation of all tht
teachers. In the three lower rooms tn,
grade has been perceptibly raised, and
what is more, the quality Of the scholar
ship has been greatly improved, ani
this is very important consideration
The quality Of the work done in th,
primary grades is the basis for the worl
in tho upper grades, and poor work il
the lower makes good work difficult il
the higher grades.
study has become apparent during th'
year, both to comply with the law. ant
to conform to the improved condition
Of the school. A course embracing
! eight years of school work for tho fou