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1895 - 1896 Second Annual Announcement of The Charleston School
contributed by
Virginia Millspaugh Meler of Irving, Texas & William H. Fuller of Spearfish, SD

The text is linked to images of the Charleston School Announcement.  Note: The page breaks in the text below end at the sentence ending and does not match the image exactly.

Front Cover
Second Annual Announcement of The Charleston School
located at Charleston (Delta Co.) Texas.
Second Session opens Oct. 14th, 1895 and closes May 29, 1896.
A. J. Street, Principal.
Printed by Bennett Printer, Bonham Street, Paris.
* * * * *

Calendar

Session eight months or thirty-two weeks in length. Divided into four terms of eight weeks each.
First Term opens October 14, 1895.
First Term closes by exhibition of Finals, December 6, 1895.
Second Term begins December 9, 1895.
Second Term closes for the Holidays, December 20, 1895.
Second Term continues from December 30, 1895.
Second Term closes by Finals, February 7, 1896.
Third Term opens February 10, 1896.
Third Term closes by Orations, April 3, 1896.
Fourth Term begins April 6, 1896.
Fourth Term closes May 29, 1896.
Commencement Sermon, May 31, 1896.
Commencement from June 2, to June 5, 1896.

Corps of Teachers

A. J. Street
  Language, Higher Mathematics, Ancient History, Civics, Psychology and Literature.
Dr. W. A. Wood
  Chemistry, Anatomy, Philosophical Experiments, and Lectures on Narcotics.
J. C. Helm.
  Grammar, History--U. S. and Texas, Geography, Algebra, Ortography, Reading, Geometry, and Conductor in Drills.
Miss Beulah Stephenson
  Teacher in Primary Department.
A. J. Street
  Book-Keeping, Business Forms, Commercial Law and History, Rapid Calculations, Etc.

Review of Faculty

A. J. Street,
  The Principal, was educated principally at Saulesbury, Tenn., in 1884-’85 and ’86; spending one session since in an independent Normal at Essary Springs, Tennessee under one of the finest instructors in the South, Having spent nearly fifteen years in school life, he is fully experienced.
Dr. W. A. Wood,
  Whose services we were so proud to secure, received a very liberal literary education in the schools of this part of Texas. Spending one session in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, and graduating in the Kentucky University, at Louisville, Ky. His rare ability and philosophical turn of mind insures his success in the department for which he is chosen.
Mr. J. C. Helm,
Miss Beulah Stephenson
  Are young teachers of wonderful courage and determination. Each received the principal training in the Charleston School. But each had received valuable training in The East Texas Normal. Both are graduates of last year in our institution.

Board of Trustees
Henry Akard, Charleston, Texas
J. T. Click, Charleston, Texas
J. M. Hemby, Charleston, Texas

The Past

The past session of this school was one of universal success. Not a jar of the least note occurred to disturb our happiness or hinder our progress. Many pupils of worth matriculated. None of our graduates are loafing, but all were tendered honorable positions. Our patrons speak unbounded praises of the wonderful success. So interesting was the entire years work that the pupils are very anxious to enter upon the coming session.

The Future

The prospects are very encouraging to those of us, so much interested. Another handsome room of commodius structure is now being added. The district has more money in the Free School Fund than we have possessed there in five years. All our patrons are men who are able and willing to sustain such a school as we have. Nearly all the pupils of last year write that they are coming back, and will bring from t----- to four others. Enterprising men from several districts are prospecting, some have already bought and are beginning to build. Now we feel greatly elated with such things before us, and ask you to secure board at once.
The School — Will sustain the following courses: Primary, Preparatory, Teachers, Preparatory Scientific, Scientific, Music, and Business.
The Institution — Will have four departments of work: Primary, Intermediate, Advanced and Music.
The Courses — Of study are carefully laid out to suit the time and graduation. Pupils will be kept in the Primary until they are fully prepared for the Preparatory. In the Preparatory the foundation for deep thinking, and inquiring research will be laid.

The Teacher’s Course — Embraces all the free school branches of the State of Texas. It is needless to speak of the excellent classes and grand work of this course. Being assured by observation that more time than ten months is necessary to pass from the Teacher’s Course through the Scientific by our methods of work. We have therefore instituted the Preparatory Scientific of eight months, taking first half of studies in the Scientific Course. With some review studies from the Teacher’s Course.
The Scientific Course — Embraces Advanced Latin, Standard Authors, Literature, Higher Mathematics, and Critcisms.(sic) There is no course so valuable.
The Business Course — Will be one of especial interest. We do not use a series of text books whose forms are out of date; but give you the identical transaction, you will take at Lexington, Ky. Our Commercial Law opens a world of useful knowledge. A large number of short and rapid calculations invaluable to a business man. We d---- competition in this course with a school even of superior grade.
A number of branches of each course will be mentioned below.
Primary — 4 Years.
Reading, Writing, Orthography, Drawing, Numbers and Drills.
Preparatory — 1 Year.
Arithmetic, Language, Spelling, Penmanship, Reading, Letter Writing, Composition, History, Punctuation, Drills, and Elocutionary work.
Teachers Course — 1 Year.
Physiology, Arithmetic, Physics, Grammar, Rhetoric, Algebra, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Composition, History — U. S. and Texas, Geography, Plane Geometry, Penmanship, Elocution, Vocal Music, Theory and Practice in Teaching, Debating, and Finals Diplomas awarded.
Preparatory Scientific — 1 Year.
Psychology, Rhetoric, Plane Geometry, Algebra, and Physics, reviewed from Teachers Course. Advanced studies are: Solid Geometry, Plane Trigonometry, Latin, Botany, Geology, General History, Chemistry, Business Forms, American Literature, and Orations, Diplomas Awarded.

Scientific Course — 1 Year.
History, Greece, Rome, France and England, Caesar, Shakespear, Milton, Logic, English Literature, Spherical Trigonometry, Surveying, Analytical Geometry, Zoology, Criticisms, Debating, and Orations. Diplomas awarded.
Business Course — 6 months.
Bookkeeping, Commercial Law, Grammar, Commercial Arithmetic and Geography, History, Business Calculations, Forms, etc. Certificate Awarded.
Music.
The best teacher that can be procured is to be employed. Thorough drills in class practice, sight reading, Voice Culture, etc. Our class will not be very large, giving quite an advantage to those who desire to take this course.
Expenses.
We have the cheapest school in the country.
Board, rooms, lights, fuel, toilet, washing, and everything complete from $7 to $8 per month.
Tuition from $1.50 to $3.50.
All expenses for eight months need not exceed $75.00.
Building and Apparatus.
The building is sufficient to accommodate two hundred and fifty. We have some valuable apparatus and such additions will be made as the school demands.
Methods.
Our methods are the outgrowth of over twelve years experience as teacher, and five years observation as pupil.
We teach the subject many studies taught wholly from outline. Our methods are normal. Some claim normalism as soon as they get six weeks instruction. I- some little Summer Normal. We take a position rather independently between non progressive university man and the normal hobbiest. One wants four years to take a course, the other only two years. We take a happy medium of three years. I do not say this to concede to the university idea, the normal is the true idea. Every course in our school is a Normal course.

Explanation of Studies.
No pupil can attend our school one session without being good in the marks and sounds of letters, and a good practical speller.
All branches of mathematics are studied, and explained from an analytical stand point. Complete analysis for every subject in Arithmetic. Algebra is studied by a complete written statement.
No haphazard steps are used in Geometry, but we must have a complete statement of the proposition, then follows the hypothesis, proof, and conclusion.
History, Physics, Physiology, Geography, Rhetoric, studied partly by copies and partly by outline. Grammar is studied by subjects till technicalities are mastered; then follows analysis, parsing, and diagramming of sentences.
All recitations are made lively by free discussion.
We take no statement without proof.
Moral science is not talked of in a theorizing way but a lesson is given each day from the source of all theory—the Bible. No sectarianism is taught either by precept or example, but all pupils are impressed with the importance of Christianity. We are careful in the selection of text-books and literature, that infidelity may not be tolerated.
Government.
Our government is mild but firm.
Disorderly pupils and drones are not wanted. If such cannot be induced to work, they are quietly dismissed.
Parents having daughters or sons will do well to place them in the hands of our patrons.
We encourage friendly association of the sexes in order to enlighten them in the ways of true manhood and womanhood. It is clearly proven that good manners and gentility are the products of correct communication.

Location.
We are pleasantly situated on the margin of a high prairie. No malaria can possibly reach us. There was no a single case of dangerous sickness among the pupils of last session. We have beautiful white sand throughout the town. Pure water, free from lime taste, or coloring. The houses are neat, the groves beautiful, people social and clever. No dudes parade our streets. No whiskey. No billiard had. No railroad demoralization. Every thing pleasant and beautiful. Would you not like to send your son or daughter to a place like this? Here we have equal advantages at half the cost of many schools where your children must board in dormitories and meal at public tables. Be with us. We need your help, and your children need our instruction. We have given instruction to more than fifteen hundred pupils and wish to help that many more. What ---- propose we try very hard to carry out. There will be some of the grandest boys and girls leave this school next year that ever went out before the public of this section. Will you not be among them?
Regulations.
All board must be settled monthly. All tuition is due at the close of each term. Accounts will full statement will be presented by a collector. Local pupils can get their free term any time during the session; but once enrolled as a scholastic, do deduction is made for loss of time. All scholastics must be enrolled or transferred to be allowed free money. Pupils may enter at any time. It is better to enter at the beginning of a term. Pupils not advanced will find classes made for their benefit.

We do not place grown young men or ladies in primary classes.
Come if you are timid, and not advanced, we know how to make you feel pleasant.
The faculty will not purchase books for the school. Books can be bought at the book store, almost as cheap, as from the publisher. Pupils in Chemistry will be charged on dollar extra for each month the study is pursued.
Miscellaneous.
We desire the patronage of the people of this and adjoining counties especially. We have done some work of which we feel proud. Believing that merit alone wins, we have won the merit and claim the support. We are not advertising and canvassing alone; but we are building a school upon a sure basis. If you wish to spend your money and time for style and empty show, attend some other institution. If you mean business and desire to get information at greatly reduced rates, come and join us.
Many young people who come to our Commencement next June will regret that the failed to attend. Our town is pleasant, water good, health extremely good, school cheap, instruction first-class, morality good, and in fact you could not be suited better. Every pupil the past year was pleased from every stand-point.
Hoping that you will read every word of this short circular, and that you will make up your mind to be with us. We close by extending a hearty greeting to the former pupils and friends of the Charleston School.
For particulars, address.
A. J. Street, Principal.

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