Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-30
zine Public School System of Americus. Georgia

o;+v furnishes no better standard
u.hicb to measure its progress and
growth than its system of schools. If
the schools show the effect of careful
engagement and expert supervision,
18th modern buildings furnished with
.bo hest to be found in equipment, and
.,oobt nv professionally trained teach
ors then can the city be ranked high
:, the scale of commercial, social, and
;rteIlectual attainment
Public education in Americas has
long received the most careful con-
sheraton. Our city has one of the
oldest systems in Georgia, being
founded by Act of Legislature Feb. 13,
1912 Under conservative management
rho system has had steady but healthy
growth. 1t has been peculiarly freq
from the. introductions of so-called
drills" and non-essentials into the
course of study, and from discord in
ito management. Upon the Board of
Fdueation have the most prominent
and influential citizens served A ten
ure of office of six years has prevent
ed a too frequent change in its person
mel.
A study of the officers of the Board
will clearly show how much wisdom
has been shown in their selection, and
how efficiency and faithfulness have
been rewarded. In the forty years of
the Boards existence there have been
eight presidents: Messrs. Geo. F. Coop
er. A. S. Cults, N. A. Smith, NJ. Speer,
E. ]. Eldridge, G. T. Mi=,er, U. B.
Harold, G. W Glover and Jno. 4.
Cobb. The majority of these served
}ntil death removed them.
There have been but five treasurers
of the Board; Messrs. NJ. Speer, E. j.
Eldridge, U. B. Harold, W. E. Brown,
and E. B. Everett
Mr.. U. B. Harold had the distinc-
ton of serving as member of the
Board from the founding of the schools
in 1873 to the time of his death in
1907, a period of thirtyfour years.
In the selection of Superintendent
and teachers the greatest care has
been taken by the Board. There have
been but five superintendent; Messrs,
J. Nelly. ]. NJ. Cannon, A ]. Bizien,
W. Harper, ]. E. Mathis, and A. G.
Miller; serving an average of six
years each.
There have been ten principals Of
the High School; Messrs. ]. E. Math-
is, R. V. Forester, G. j. Orr, Jr, B.
w. Davis, N. c. Miller, A G. Miller, j.
A. Duncan, Ralph Newton, W. O.
Cheney, and ]. N. Haddock. But two
of these principals, Messrs. ]. E. Math-
is and A. G. Miller, were promoted to
the superintendency Mr.. ]. E. Mathis
had the distinction of serving the
schools longer than any of these offin-
ials, serving, with the exception Of
two years from their opening to 1904
Three hundred and fifty-three young
people have graduated from the High
School, besides hundreds who have re-
ceived its training, but were compelled
by circumstances to discontinue their
work before graduating.
The schools are divided into three
divisions: Primary comprising the
first three grades; Grammar, compris-
ing the next four grades through the
seventh grade; and the High School,
comprising the four grades from the
eighth grade through the eleventh;
thus making a course of eleven
years. The first seven years OF
the pupils school life are taken up
with the usual elementary studies, and
at the end of that time he passes into
the High School.
Upon entering the High School,
pupil has the choice of three courses
of study; classical, scientific, or COM
mercial. All pupils are required 10
take at least four studies, and must
take English. Mathematics and HIS
tory, but may elect Latin, Science or
the Commercial branches. The course
of study must be selected by the pa
rent, or guardian, of the pupil, anu
when once selected canot be changed
without their consent and the approval
of the principal of the High School'