Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-04-19
AZ INSPIRING EXAMPLE.

An INSPIRING EXAMPLE.
In this weeks issue of the paper we
present some data concerning the Bar
wick High school. and the success IL has
achieved in the past three years. Ii has
been the writer's pleasure TO visit this
schocl. and he knows that the following
statement Is essentially correct and mod
est to 4 degree The greatest problem
before our people today is one Of educa-
tiO1. How shall we direct the energy OF
the boy and girl effectively? This can
only be brought about through the i'm
pruvement OF our schools. How can we
improve these schools save through eN-
pending more money on them? Shall we
depend on the state TO do this2 II Is
proper that the state should defray a
part OF the expenses. but in order that
Georgfa shall have first-class system OF
elementary education IL viii take all the
states revenues and be necessary to dou-
bic taxation to secure enough money for
this Iaudable purpose. This Is manifest
" fmpracticable. In the second place, it
Is not desirable. for after all a school
Is n local matter.
This little sketch Of the work at Bar
wick has been prepared and presented
for the information OF our readers to let
them see that the good schools for which
thew may long may be had at once IL they
institute local tax. SSee what BaTwick
has done The assessed value of the
property on which the tax is levied is
not more than Sac0o vet they raise
800 annually. or 500 more than the
state pays for school purposes. The
school has been an inspiration and has
become a source of pride and the center
OF life TO the community. The good II
viii accomplish can not be measured in
doIiars and cents
The thing for those who live I'm the
rural districts to do is to institute a local
ta~ a-d see that they secure for their
-hilSren the benefits which a good school
aIore crn confer TIE principal of this
school. Prof. ]. W. Davis. and his CO.
workers are identifying the grounds and
<ivsn~ much attention TO school garden
inC They intend to make nature study
IN TIE school a live proposition. Let the
god work so on.
We shall be pleased TO hear from other
-or1r-uuities who have followed the Bar
wick example and solved the school prob
lem for themselves. and at the same time
give a new impetus and a material up
lift 20 the industry and the social life OF
the community.
THE BARwICK HIGH SCHOOL
At TIE close OF the spring term the
Barwick High school will have finished
its third years work. and will turn out
its first. graduates. This school ranks
amOrv the best graded schools in south
Geo-~ia. and is now working for a place
on the accredited list. Barwick has a
7onriv-fan of 400 The town is only
years Old. having been incorporated in
1896. End has had a steady growth since
itS organization. The soil is productive.
and large crops OF cotton. syrup and
melons are marketed here annually The
Barwicx school district. including ter
rftory Of about four miles square with
the town centrally located. was among
tire first school districts in the state to
vote local tax under the McAIichael act.
Our school. before the introduction OF
the present system. was an average I'M
graded country school. employing Onls
two teachers and taught In a small frame
building. BY the aid OF local tax our
school has developed into a large graded
school with three years high school work
employing four literary teachers and a
music teacher. It occupies large brick
building which would be a credit TO
much larger town than Barwick. The cit
izens OF this district. realizing the i'm
portance Of a good school, and stirred
with enthusiasm. went down I'm their peck
cts three years ago and built a $500
academy. all by private subscription. tone
man donating four acres OF land. the
prettiest lot in town. on which the build
ing is located
Prof ]. W. Davis. the principal. is a
graduate OF the State Normal school of
the class OF 1851. He accepted the posi-
ton of principal OF the Barwick school
and took charge in the fall OF 1907, and
organized the Barwick High school. BY
his proficiency put into proper use
through organized EFFORT. and by the
earnest cooperation of his efficient as
sistants. he has given Barwick one OF the
best graded schools in the state. Prac-
teal school gardening is taught in con-
necti0u with the school work. thus lay
ing the foundation for an agricultural
education The Barwick High school af-
fords great opportunities for ambitious
boys and girls OF south Georgia who de-
sire the advantages OF high school train
Ing. The climate Is healthful and delight
full. and board can be secured at reason
able rates
Tire amount raised by local tax for this
school Is about 81 100 yearly. The assessed
value OF the property on which this tax Is
levied is more than $4,000. The state
pays this school about S1O0 less than the
amount raised by local tax In the past
three years the school has grown from
an enrolment OF about loo to I75. The
Increase i'm regular attendance is more
marked than in enrolment. This school
had not done any high school work be-
fore three years ago, but now there are
q pupils in the high school grades. and
% Of these have been present every day
and have not been tardy a single time.
A Parents-Teachers' club has been or
ganized. which meets monthly, and dis
cusses questions and problems relating
20 tie school.