The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-27

iHoouoH 10 NOT conupeo TO tho school
property. Tho woods and fields and
streams OF tho surrounding country
are free to all the boys. The land
owners are generous and courteous
in the privileges bestowed upon the
old academy.
One OF tho greatest things about
the school is the wonderful spirit that
has been fostered for years. 1t Is
the spirit of buoyant manhood and
fearless honor. 1t is practiced in the
lives of the pupils. in their dealings
with the instructors, and in their as
ISOLATION with each other.
Frankness. fidelity. and honesty en-
ter into the lives of all. What is a
school without these elements? The
academy 10 moro than a school. 1t is
a home where robust, sturdy boys live
and develop In an atmosphere that -
true and wholesome. The boys them
selves have built up an honor system
that is their special pride. No boy
lets fear of discipline restrain him
from standing out from his fellow
students and declaring his part in n
transaction that Is at variance with
the regulations or honorable tradi-
tons of the school.
There Is here no faint of snobbery.
A spirit of democracy enfolds the
place, and discountenances anything
like social distinctions. The boy who
by work earns part of his way
through school may be the intimate
friend OF the wealthiest boy. and the
leader in some Of the school activi-
ties. 1t is we'll for boys from diff
different parts OF the world. and from
gether. From such associations they
get a broader and more sympathetic
view of life, and learn lessons that
are wholesome and helpful.
It is we'll to mention here the re-
ception that is given to new boys
when they enter. In some schools
every new boy. whatever may be his
age or condition. must submit to some
form of hazing. This is not true here.
The old boys welcome the new ar
rivals and extend to them the cour-
tesy duo a guest.
The instructors are men of ability.
sympathetic and generous in their ef-
forts to bring out all that is best in a
boy. They arc young men of schol
arly attachments who exercise a tact
full leadership with the students.
Their association is not limited to
the classroom and study hall. No
where is there a closer intimacy and
warmer comradeship existing among
the teachers and pupils than is found
in Cluster Springs Academy. The In
structors both work and play with
the boys. In no other way could their
lives and precepts SO profoundly i'm
pi ess the pupil. In no other way could
the spirit of honor and fair play be
fostered and deepened from year to
year They have the respect. esteem
and unbounded confidence OF the stud
ent body. Such a condition could not
exist IN a school OF several hundred
boys, and for this reason Cluster
select school where e limited num-
Der of boys will be taught more than
books can give to them.
In point of scholarship the academy
stands in the front rank OF Southern
pr eparatory schools The graduates
are admitted without examination to
our greatest universities and colleges
This is the strongest evidence OF the
high standard of work maintained.
Many boys from here have majo en-
viabie records IN the higher in5titu-
lions OF learning. What IS more re-
markable. the boys who come here are
boys who expect to enter some col
lcge or university later. It may he
safely said that IS per cent. of all
enrolled attend the higher Institutions
after leaving the academy. Few
schools can show such a record.
The night study hall Is feature
that cannot be overestimated. Some
boys need to be led into work. and
some need assigned. Every night
from 80 to $50 all the boys as
semble in the school chapel where
they systematically prepare their
the instructors presides and helps the
weak along. Intensive study Ia done
during these two hours. The most per-
feet order prevails. no boy being al
lowed TO disturb his fellows In any
way.
Cluster Springs has In the last few
years attained an enviable reputation
liz athletics. Especially is this true IN
baseball. The record last year was
one of the best among the prepare
tory schools of the State. The In
structors are the coaches. They are
full OF athletic spirit and enthusiasm.
They Undue the boys with the spirit
OF fair play and teach them to take
defeat without being DISCOURAGED.
Though the school is limited IN num-
bers, II does not mean that material
is scarce. The boys are loyal. and
most OF them return from year to
year until graduation. They live In
an atmosphere OF clean. wholesome
athletics. and develop under the Same
coaches until they claim a place on
the first teams. AS many as three
baseball teams may be seen practlciug
at the same time.
The athletic grounds are ample for
- -
and better than most colleges pos-
sess. Tennis courts. a running track
a gridiron. and two baseball diamonds
are all in the same enclosure. BY
this means the boys are kept in close
touch and association with members
of the faculty. No acrimonious dis
putes are heard. no profanity, and no
unclean conversation INDUCED in. 1t
can readily be seen that sports un-
&c