The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-06
Responsibility of the Pre-
paratory School for Girls
BY ISABEL L. WALKER Department of English,
Miss Morris's School, Richmond. Va.

II might seem that every one would
readily acknowledge the great burden
of responsibility resting upon the
many preparatory schools scattered
throughout our State and country. But.
while most people do facility agree to
tho fact, very few of them truly real
lie the heavness of the burden. And,
sad to say many of the schools them
selves seem utterly Inadequate to bear
such a responsibility.
The girls who attend preparatory
schools may be easily divided into two
classes. First. those who will go TO
college; second. those who will stop
school and consider their education
FINISHED" upon graduation In the pro-
paratory school. Therefore. the re-
sponsibility of such a school is really
twofold. First. In preparing for col
lege; second. In graduating girls that
never go to college.
Preparing for College.
|. The first part OF the problem Is
somewhat easier to solve than the
second. And yet there is 30 much
more to be considered in preparing a
girl for college than the mere read
ing OF certain classics and the writ
ing of papers more or less pretentious
The course of instruction must he
not only broad In scope. but thorough
in effect. The foundation must be
strong enough to bear the completed
structure. Better few experiments
worked out unassisted in physics or
chemistry than pages OF illustrated
theories: better one principle OF
mathematics thoroughly mastered and
its beautiful reasonabicness appreciated
than several books OF geometry and
algebra hastily scanned; better one
clear English paper representing the
tho individuality OF that one mind than
half OF the Encyclopa edia Britannica la
boriously copied. And tho best results
can never be obtained save at the price
OF eternal vigilance on the part OF
the teacher. assisted by wise co-opcra-
ton from the parent. First In Inn
portance comes the neglected art OF
learning how to study. Many n really
conscientious girl struggles through
school and college and is finally beaten
in the fight just because she was
never taught how to learn. And then
the teacher must above all strive to
fan that spark of love for higher
things that surely burns somewhere
in every young mind. If she does not
feel 1t kindling her own being. how
can 1t inspire other minds under her
guidance? And this enthusiasm. this
inspiration. is everything. With It, as
will be prepared in the truest sense
for college.
II. In graduating girls that never go
to college. the problem. the RESPONSE
bllity is intensified. And often this
class of girls is larger by far than
the other. There must be both foun-
dation and building hero, for though
IL he an humble ono. Yet some strength
and beauty must be given this little
temple OF learning that shall make it
endure. The instruction must be lib
eral: thorough, too, and pre-eminently
must the inspiration he given to GO
forward when school is done-to omen
doors for ones self into that wonder
full land of fancy and ina gina ton.
without which life must be so bare and
bleak Do we as teachers feel that
this great power for life is in our
hands to give? Or do we teachers
withhold ourselves from our work and