The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-01-15
the elementary schools several years
prior to their attendance at the folk
high schools They come to the

the elementary schools several years
prior to their attendance at the folk
high schools. They come to the
high schools at the most important
period in their lives from the stand
point of education. These schools
are located in the country and are
maintained primarily for country
youth. The students are therefore
for the most part sons and daugh-
tiers Of farmers, though among them
are found many young people from
other walks of life.
While they have very definite edu-
cational aims, the folk high schools
do not strongly emphasize the ac-
QUESTION of textbook information.
Textbooks are used to some extent,
but play only minor part. No en-
trance requirements are prescribed
and there are no examinations. No
attempt is made to prepare students
for entrance to higher institutions,
and no diplomas are conferred at
the end of the course.
The course of study consists In
part of review of the more impOr-
tant elementary branches. There is
also instruction in science subjects,
such as chemistry, physics, and BIZ
ology. The greatest emphasis, how
, ever, is laid on history, biography,
and literature. These are the sub
jects through which the folk high
school seeks chiefly to accomplish
its aims.
The idea of the folk high school
goes back to Bishop n. T. S. Grund-
Wig G7S3-1872), noted Danish d.
vine, poet and historian. The first
folk high school was established in
Rodding in north Schleswig in 1S45,
but it was not until nearly twenty
years later that the movement real
ly took hold of the people of Den
mark. Then came the expected war
with Germany, which resulted in the
loss of Schleswig and HOlstein. This
was a crushing blow, but the nation
al spirit was not broken. A new de-
termination took possession of the
nation-a determination to make
again for itself a place Of honor
among the nations of the world,
though not again with arms and
warfare. 1t was in the awakening of
the intelligence of the people, and
the development of the resources Of
the land, that the nation saw the
promise of restored national pres
tige. This. it was believed. could be
accomplished only through educa-
ton.
The new reliance on education led
at once to the recognition of the pos
sibilities of the folk high school and
to the real beginning of the high
school movement. The school at
Rodding was moved across the new
German border to Askov and num-
Der OF new schools were established
in different parts of Denmark. Stu
dents t'ocked to them and their in
1uence grew with great rapidity.
Today there are close to so folk
high schools in Denmark. with to-
tai annual enrolment of almost ten
thousand students Over 10 per
cont of the population of Denmark
pass through these schools. At a
number of the schools there are
many more applicants for admission
than can be accepted. This seems
the more remarkable when it is re-
membered that no preferments are
promised to those who attend them.
The young people go for the inspira-
tion and the intellectual uplift that
the schools afford and for the prep
aration that they give for life.
Intense Earnestness of the Students.
1t is difficult for one who has not
visited these schools to understand
how so much can be accomplished
in so short a time. The secret lies
in the intense seriousness Of the
students They are mature and ear
nest. They come voluntarily eager
to receive what the school has to
give. They live together in the
school buildings with the principal
and his corps of assistants like a
great family There are opportuni-
ties for social intercourse and for
physical training, but there are no
distracting influences; no time is
wasted. Every day is busy one from
early morning until the hour for the
evening meal; and in some schools
there are lectures and other school
exercises at night.
AS has already been said, to his
tory, biography, and literature are