The following text was transcribed from chapters on the history of education in individual Kansas counties found on pages 192-193 in:
ROOKS COUNTY -- Rooks county has 110 school districts and three joint districts. In the school year ending June 30, 1892, 100 schools were maintained, employing 108 teachers.
Stockton graded schools employ six teachers. Its course of study, completed, admits pupils to the State University.
Plainville graded schools are very good. Three teachers are employed.
Woodston village schools employ two teachers, and have a good reputation.
The Stockton Academy-— Stockton has the only Christian academy in northwest Kansas west of Mitchell county. It is a New England academy in the West, with courses of study and departments adapted to the wants of the people around it. It fully prepares students for Washburn College, at Topeka, whose requirements for admission are among the highest in the State. The academy is managed by trustees elected by the Congregational churches of northwestern Kansas, and is to that extent only denominational. It is thoroughly religious in its purpose and influence. Last term, members of nine Christian denominations were among the students enrolled, pursing their studies peaceably and pleasantly together.
The commercial department of the academy is the only business college in northwest Kansas. It provides the careful training in penmanship, bookkeeping, commercial law and other things commonly taught in a first class business college, including elocution, shorthand, and typewriting. A thoroughly-trained penman and accountant has charge of this department, Mr. Theo. Snowberger. Shorthand and typewriting really form a department by themselves, and are in charge of Mr. A. V. Louderback, a practical stenographer.
Mr. J. H. Turtle, a thoroughly competent operator and instructor, has charge of the photography department.
The musical department is the only musical conservatory in northwest Kansas. Miss Grace A. Brown, teacher of piano, organ, harmony, and musical history, is a graduate of the Fort Wayne Conservatory, a postgraduate of the conservatory in Albion, Michigan, and a teacher of large experience. We do not believe her equal can be found in her department in western Kansas.
Equal commendation rightly belongs to the teacher of voice culture, Rev. T. V. Davies, who received thorough preparation for this work in New Haven, Conn.
The normal department (three years) gives special advantages to teachers and those who expect to teach.
The assistants in the various departments are fully competent for their special work, and are four in number: Mr. D. G. Palmer, a young man from Vermont, teaches the singing classes; Miss Mary Hill, from the State Normal School, at Emporia, teaches arithmetic and physical geography; Mr. Leroy A. Halbert, in the senior class in the classical department, teaches grammar; Miss Myrtle Ives, of the normal department, teaches geography and U. S. history.
The principal, Rev. F. E. Sherman, is a graduate of Phillips' (Andover) Academy, one of the best in the world, and of Amherst College. He teaches Latin and Greek and some of the mathematics of the classical course. In all, the academy offers nine courses of study, each, when completed satisfactorily, securing diploma.
Graduates and former students of the academy hold honorable positions in college, in the schoolroom, and at the bookkeeper's desk. Two are now in the office of the Secretary of State.
Expenses are low; the location is physically healthful, morally and socially elevating, intellectually, musically and religiously inspiring.
Students are now present from four States outside of Kansas and from eight counties of the State. The school is large enough to do good work, and is growing. Its school property cost about $15,000.
The academy was started in 1887, when people were financially hopeful. The hard times since have kept it financially embarrassed; but its friends are hoping still and courageously working. Among the 300 students who have attended, a large proportion have been teachers, who have carried the influence of the academy into many school districts. The aim is to do the best work in training the minds and molding the characters of all who attend. The teachers are earnest Christians, and try to surround the students always with a warm Christian atmosphere. Stockton is on the high prairie, half way between the Missouri river and the mountains, having a climate midway between those extremes—a desirable place for study, on account of its excellent climate, its quiet surroundings, its economical management and low expenses, and its good work—studiously adapted to the wants of this section of the State.
transcribed by Rita Troxel, State Library of Kansas
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