Elementary School Class Sizes Range from 37 to 53 in Henderson, 1905

“Henderson Graded Schools,” from the Gold Leaf, Henderson, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 21, 1905

Reference was made last week to the fact that the Henderson Graded Schools had opened with a larger attendance than at any previous session, the first day showing an enrollment of 45 more at the Central School, while the others, including the colored schools, had an increase also. At the close of the week the enrollment was as follows:

First Grade, Miss Birdie Watson, teacher—37.

Second Grade, Miss Lula Page, teacher—42.

Third Grade, Miss Leona Currin—43.

Fourth Grade, Miss Jessie Page—42

Fifth Grade, Miss Amy Butler—53.

Sixth Grade, Miss Ethel Plummer—41.

Seventh Grade, Miss Susie Gilliam—41.

High School, Prof. A.E. Akers—43.

North Henderson, Misses Mary Bell Gary and Bertie Clifton, teachers—63.

South Henderson, Mrs. W.D. Horner, teacher—45.

Harris Cross Roads School, Miss Carrie Fuller, teacher, enrollment not reported.

A total of 442 in the white schools and 175 in the colored—617 altogether. These figures may have been changed somewhat by the coming in of other pupils Monday. The enrollment never makes its highest average the first week.

In the above enumeration no account is taken of the white school at Harris’ Cross Roads, the Greystone colored school and the Nutbush colored school, the attendance at these not having been reported to us.

Henderson township has cause to be proud of its Graded Schools. The opening is auspicious of the term’s work. Some changes have been made in the faculty since last session, but the new teachers are all experienced and capable, and the personnel is of the highest rank in scholarship and efficiency.

Prof. A.E. Akers, principle, teacher in the high school department, is a worthy successor of Prof. Mills. He is a young man of scholarly attainments, a hard student, and experienced teacher, thoroughly devoted to his work, and withal a good disciplinarian. The Gold Leaf always considered the school as extremely fortunate in having the services of Prof. Mills for four years and Henderson lost a good citizen when he went to Louisburg to become superintendent of the Graded Schools there; but it believes the trustees have been equally fortunate in securing Prof. Akers to take his place.

Miss Ethel Plummer, teacher of the sixth grade, is from Petersburg, Va., She has taught for some time and comes highly recommended. She taught last year at Waverly, Va.,

Miss Susie Gillliam, teacher of the seventh grade, is from Halifax county, N.C. She has been teaching in Virginia and last year at Moncure, this State. She too comes highly endorsed and won over a number of strong competitors. Miss Gilliam is a sister of Mr. George Gilliam, the popular and efficient overseer at the Harriet Cotton Mills.

Miss Bertie Clifton, assistant of Miss Mary Belle Gary at the North Henderson school, taught in Gibsonville last year. She had been teaching in this county and elsewhere previously.

Miss Birdie Watson comes back after resting for a year. Of her nothing need be said further than the pleasure it gives the trustees, faculty and patrons of the school to have her become a member of the teaching force again. Miss Watson is too well known and too greatly beloved by the pupils and others for words of introduction or commendation.