The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-12-09
EDITOR VISITS
HIGH SCHOOL
Finds Denison Schools the
Peer Of Any in Iowa.
Progress in Science Department is
Particularly Marked. Efficient
Work OF Teaching Corps.

IdIllCuihily NaihCus L1iiAoioho
Work OF Teaching Corps.
1t is now more than fifteen years ago
since certain graduate. of the Deni-
son High School applied for admission
to great institution Of learning. He
was confronted at once by his lack OF
preparation-no Latin, no German, but
little geometry or science. no labratory I
work. The ground that had been
covered had been thoroughly coverd,
but many things were lacking. That
boy will never forget the work involved
in 'makng up" those studies, the
handicap they placed upon his college
course, the vacations they spoiled, the
hardships they imposed. No one could
feel more grateful to the teachers OF
those earlier days of Denisons School
history, they were thorough. they were
honest, they We're sincere. 1t was
through their own efforts that the
present high school course was crystal
lized and its present high standard
made possible. They did the very best
possible with the material at hand,
with limited apparatus, with an over
burden of work. Prof z. T. Hawk
was the first to establish a systematized
course of study for the Denison schools
since that time has been due to the
strength and ability of his work
It was with many memories of these
old time days crowding upon us that
we entered the high school some days
ago to spend a few hours with the
young people and their teachers. As
: we entered the beautiful building
seemed to fade away and we saw again
the limited play grounds. the narrow
stairs, the ugly walls, the hideoas
architecture of the old White school.
We saw again the low ceiled. dingy
room, the little box OF d private office
and recitation rooM where an air
pump and q galvanic battery were the
sole instruments of scientific research
and again we felt d rush of gratitude
to the teachers who had been able,
under such conditions to do as we'll and
as thoroughly as they did,
In place of the dingy room we found
the great, high walled assembly hall
filled with light and air, place where
one can draw q full breath without
stinting his neighbor. In place of the
overworked Principal and an equal J
over worked assistant, we found ;
corps of four teachers all working
hard enough, but each specializing
along congenial lines giving the pupil:
d wider range of culture and ex
perience. For children learn as muct
from teachers as from books and the
man or woman does not live who car
long hide his foibles fr1m the eyes O
childhood.
More than a huotrea girls ana boy
faced US that morning and one coult
see at a glance that the majority o
them had passed the days of mer'
'sgoing to school" and had becom
students-young men and women wh
were studying with purpose, VIII
were acquiring knowledge witt
malice afore thought" if one may US
an inappropriate expression that ueve
the less conveys the idea. They ha
passed the time when school session
meant simply rather tedious waitin
for recess and had arrived at tn
time when young people study wit
purpose, when the subject in han
has u personal value and a person;
interest of it's own. Until the pup
teachers and books and apparatus ca
do but little.
Our arrival was made basis for
change in the morning exercises ar
much to our regret the usual progra
was omitted and the singing whic
would have done the young folks SOC
and which would have done us go'
was exchanged for a speech tie GOO
ness of which was entirely problemat
cal. The ''childreu'' were we'll traint
and applauded nicely. We thar
Gnem. OHS VI tie iloSp plSa9''
features Of Denison school life is Il
music. This accomplishment is taug,
all through the school course from Il
lowest grades to the highest, and IL
effect of this :eaching has been felt
the community for many years al
Denison is becoming more and more
music center far ahead of its sist
Iowa towns.
The present high school presen
) two courses to its students, t.
scientific aud the classical, the lat
is more adapted for those who wish
attend still higher Institutions