The Washington herald., 1909-08-29
RURAL HIGH SCHOOLS
Mecklenburg Plan EducateS
Toward the Farm.
MAY ADD TECHNICAL BRANCH
Institutions at Matthews and Hun
tervilIe, y. c., Mark Important De-
and County support Them-LoOIE-
ing Toward Domestic Science.

Charlotte, n. c., Aug. s.-N1ecklenburg
County. which has always been prominent
IN movements for the advancement Of
North Carolina since that famous meet
ing OF its citizens and the declaration OF
their rights before the Revolution, is once
more TO the front IN the matter OF ad-
vancing local schools This county has
two high schools. one at Matthews and
one az Huntersville. which have been in
operation for one year under what Is
known the ''Necklenburg plan"
This plan in brief is that the two
schools are county schools, supported by
county and State aid, and are open TO
pupils OF the county free OF cost for
tuition. The two schools are organized
upon a grade higher than the other public
schools of the county and are interme-
diate between the common graded schools
and the college or university.
The two schools have been started on
the usual high school basis, with courses
Of study similar to those which prevail
throughout the country. Now. however,
the superintendent OF schools is planning
a farm department for one Of the schools
which will give prominence to technical
training Funds are being raised 70
construct the necessary buildings and pur-
chase the equipment 20 put these depart
ments into operation this year
Instruction Out of Doors.
Much OF the instruction will be out
doors. lessons being drawn from nature
and from observations OF actual condi-
tions. For instance, instruction IN cotton
culture Will be drawn a great deal from
the fields themselves, the classes being
taken where the growing plants are to
be found. and there suggestions made
how best the crop may be improved So
also corn culture and the like. In the
spring, special lectures viii be given on
soil preparation; on the uses and mixing
OF commercial fertilizers, on seed selec-
ton. tillage, &C.
The plan will be to teach the children
toward the farm and not toward the
town as Is largely the case at present.
Likewise in domestic science. the girls
will be taught how to cook. 10 sew and
do all those things which the farmers
wife or daughter Is expected to superin-
tend at home. The plan az all times will
be 10 give practical instruction along
the greatest good with the least amount
OF effort.
Superintendent r. J. Cochran has Sc
cured the promise Of a number OF infiu-
entail people. as we'll as his board OF
education. and he hopes 10 have some
thing ready by September Of next year
and certainly by the September following
Funds will be required TO construct the
building and 10 get everything on a prac-
teal operating basis.
County and State Cooperate.
The county high schools at Matthews
and Huntersville are supported Jointly
by the State and county. each paying
one-half OF the expense. instruction IS
given without money and without price
20 all who apply, the high school depart
ments being open TO any one ready to
enter the seventh grade and above. The
school at Matthews had some thirty-fve
students IN the high school department
last year and the school at HuntersvlIle
about sixty. The indications arc that the
figures this year will go far ahead OF those
Of last year
These two schools. which cap the educa-
tional system Of the county, are ideal
in many respects. The physical equip
ment at both places could hardly be i'm
proved upon and the faculty is as com
petent and aggressive as can be secured.
The building at Matthews Is Of brick,
thoroughly modern and up-tO-date in ar
Tangement and equipment and as care
fully looked after as any other building
in the State. The building at Huntersville
Is also an elegant one. more than s., 600
being spent on Improvement last year.
Both are fitted up with patent single
desks and cement blackboards
Purpose of the Schools.
Upon the minutes OF the board OF edu-
cation appears the following statement
OF the plans and aims of the MecklenhurE
high schools:
with the establishment OF free pub
lie school, departments in the Hunters
willie aid Matthews schools. the free
school systems Of Mecklenburg County
has reached a perfection never before en-
joyed by It's patrons.
For the past seven years high school
subjects have had their place in the
regular course OF study OF many OF our
public schools. nor is this arrangement TO
be interfered with in the future. where
the circumstances justify II. But the
privilege 20 attend these schools Is limited
TO the children Of the Immediate district
or township in which the school Is 10
Gated.
The high school departments at Mat
thews and Huntersville are supported
by State and county aid. and are there
fore free 10 every child IN the county
who is prepared TO take UP work OF these
grades.
1T is the purpose OF the State and
county school boards to improve these
schools from time to time. by enlarging
the teaching force and advancing the
course of study. And It IS our earnest
desire that the schools be literally pat
roniZed by our people, and that they
develop and increase in efficiency until
they will be second to none of their class
in the State; that every pupil who sue
cessfully completes the full course in
these schools will be well prepared TO
enter upon the duties OF life or the work
in the higher classes OF our best colleges.
THE school building at Matthews Is
new and is model Of beauty and per-