Fergus County Democrat., 1916-03-16
DISCUSS THE i,
HIGH SCHOOL
Continued From Page One.)

(COntlnueO from rage One.)
the way of criticism of any work that
had been done, or was being done.
He complimented the teachers and
the heads of the school sysstems of
Lewistown and called attention to the
progress that had been made He re.
ferred to the need of the school and
the good it was doing, but called at
tehtion to the fact that many students
did not enter the high school and
complete its courses. In order to in
terest more in the work of the school,
any school should do like the Uni
versity of Wisconsin, Tor instance is
trying to do, that it make it's useful
ness apparent as much as possible to
all it is intended to serve. To do
this 1t is necessary to respond to the
peoples needs. One important recent
development in education which is
being adopted at the local high school
is the industrial phase, in addition to
the cultural. He was glad to note
that the local school is keeping
abreast of the times in the new
courses, such as manual training, agri-
culture and commercial training. How
ever, he wished to make some sugges-
tions which he considered timely for
continued expansion and growth and
the enlargement of it's usefulness.
Cooperation Suggested.
The judge said that at present
there was no organic connection be-
tween the local high school and the
city school system. He advocated a
closer continuity Of work and sug-
gested that one superintendent be in
charge of the work of both the high
school and the graded schools. He
figured that III this way and by other
methods of eliminating duplication,
$4,000 or more could be saved per
year, while the amount saved could
be used in the extension of the agri-
cultural course, which was consider-
ed very important in this, an agri-
cultural community. A course similar
to and not dependent upon the Boze-
man college was suggested, while a
short course for those who cannot
attend period of years was another
suggestion. For some one to 60 over
the county to explain the scope of
the school and thereby boost for it,
was also suggested. The usefulness
of the school could then be made
more apparent, this being done by the
University of Wisconsin. In some
such manner, the judge thought, the
school might be brought up to an en-
rollment of 500 to 600.
To Start Interest.
Mr.. Cheadle explained that he mere
ly intended to "star the ball rolling"
as it were, and to awaken interest
in the continued development of this
important county institution. His de-
sire was to see the industrial depart
ments of the school. in particular, en-
larged to such an extent that the en-
tire county would feel benefited
That the school was for the better
ment of educational conditions for the
whole county and a real important
and useful factor was his closing SEN
timent
Principal Sackett Speaks.
H. l.. Sackett principal of the high
school, followed with statement of
some of the new courses that had been
adopted at the school, along industrial
lines, and of the work that had been
done in the past, as well as some of
the obstacles that had to be over
come. Mr.. Sackett said that he was
glad the high school had been made
a subject for discussion at the lunch
con- as an interest in educational mat
ters by the business men was health
full sign which he welcomed He
Ill ~
the high school and investigate to see
just what was being done, and under
what conditions. He said that he
wished to add a few statements to the
excellent address by Judge Cheadle
Mr.. Sackett showed that from the city
schools S2.6 per cent. of the graduates
entered the high school in the fall af-
ter graduation from the eighth grade
The average for the state is 73.4 per
cent. Leaving out of consideration
those whose families removed from
town and who were not available for
registration in the fall, the percent
age Is 95.1 per cent. for Fergus, which
is remarkable showing.
No other Montana high school had
better record, in this regard. Only
one other Montana school has larger
percentage of nonresident students en-.
rolled than Fergus and that is Flat
head high at Kalispell, where there is
fine dormitory for the accommoda-
tion of the out-of-town student. This
Is needed improvement here.
OF the 227 students registered at
the local school, SO or "a are from
out-of-town points.
Mr.. Sackett presented some figures
showing the large percentage of Fer
gus students taking industrial courses,
Fergus leading other Montana high
schools in this respect ALSO
Graduates Do Well.
That Fergus high is accredited by
leading eastern universities, and that
the local graduates can enter the uni
versities upon credits given here was
called attention to. OF the graduates
of the past three years, IS per cent.
have gone to higher schools. Credits
for college work is given local stud.
ents, which speaks very well. Mr..
Sackett stated that he would like to
see two years college course added
here. He advocated an organic con-
nection between the county high
school and all the other high schools