The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-19


 reach of all. While partially incomplete while used last term at the beginning of the ensuing term which begins Monday at S:45, the building will be ready for oc- cupancy In every sense of the word.
 The students will have every conven- fence that is possible, and both scholars and teachers will obtain better results under the changed conditions. The build ing Is two stories, with a basement in which are located the heating apparatus, the laboratories, and several vacant rooms in which the manual arts department will be established as soon the fixtures come in. On the first floor there are four class rooms, the superintendent's office, the principals office,- the stage and par duet of the auditorium. The auditorium has a stage 12 feet deep and "A feet long, equipped with footlights, side entrances, scenery dressing rooms and other appur- tenances necessary to the production of an ordinary play. The stage will proba- bly, be used many times during the win ter for that purpose. The parquet has a 1 seating capacity of 400 and the seats are admirably arranged for a view of the stage.
 The halls are fitted with drinking foun- { tains and lavatories for the accommoda- ton of the students Upon the second floor there are four class rooms and two laboratories, and the gallery of the audi WHICH seats Zf0. AL a p1nCn the ' auditorium could accommodate 1000 people with comfort.
 The Board of Education added to the curriculum of the High school making 1t possible for a graduate to enter the state colleges without further prepara- tion, course in manual arts, a course ! in chemistry and physics with labora tory experiments. A course of two years in French added to the present two years of German. a course in physiology and hygiene, also a course in physical geogre- i phy have been added to the courses avail able in the High school, and 1t will great ly strengthen 1t, making the courses more attractive and complete.
 Another pleasing feature of the Besse- mer public schools Is that a student can enter the first grade and graduate from ] the High school without paying one cent pof tuition. Bessemer people are very 1 proud of this, as 1t Is claimed that these | schools are the only ones in the state in which this can be done. Nominal charges | only are made for nonresident students, the rate being: First and second grades, | $1 per month thifd and fourth grades, l 150 per month"; fifth and sixth grades, | S2 per month; seventh grade. s2.50 per month; High school (any grade). A per | month. These charges are considered very reasonable and 1t is expected that a | number of nonresident pupils will enter
 
 congested conditions prevailing at tho | grammar schools, the seventh grade of both schools will hold their classes in the High school building.
 Right in line with the developments of the High school are the Improvements , which have been made and are being | made to the two grammar schools. The Clarendon school grounds, for so many years an eye sore to the beauty-loving people of the city, have been transformed. | Where the ugly clay bank once stood there Is a gently sloping terrace and ris- ing yet higher another terrace. making the grounds a pleasure to look upon. The terraces are sodded with Bermuda grass, which will be in full growth by the clos | ing of the present term. Mrs. A. c. Rob- ertson is the principal of the school, with l a competent corps of teachers The pres ent enrolment of the school is about 400, and 1t is expected to be much larger at the opening of the present term.
 The Roberts school grounds have been greatly improved during the vacation and 1 present an almost entirely new appear ance. Cement walks and guttering have been placed, flowers and shrubbery have been planted and every effort has been made to uplift the surroundings of the children and make them more beautiful Improvements have been made in the course of study in the grammar school as well as in the High school. Clay mod. I cling has been introduced. The Ausbera system of drawing will be introduced leading up to the mechanical drawing in the High school. Manual training will
 begin in the elementary Stages in the
 seventh grade, and will be perfected 1T the High school.
 The outlook for the Bessemer public schools for the term of 1909-1910 is unus ually bright, and the enrolment Is ex. pected to be heavy. Superintendent Per sons expects to have at least 20O0 pupill
 enrolled. on the first day.