Lake County IN Archives History - Books .....Hobart Public Schools 1904
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Book Title: Encyclopedia Of Genealogy And Biography Of Lake County, Indiana

HOBART PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

    Twelve teachers are employed in the Hobart Public Schools, including a
superintendent and supervisor of music. Of these, two besides the superintendent
are engaged in high school work. The remainder give their entire time to work in
the grades, one teacher being assigned to each grade.

    The course of study includes eight years' work in the elementary branches,
reading, writing, number, spelling, language, geography, English history,
American history, physiology and drawing—the first five subjects -being studied
during the entire eight years, except number, which is not begun until the
second year, and four years' work in secondary branches. Special work in music
under a special teacher is carried on throughout the entire twelve years.
Special work in manual training is done during the first six years of the course.

    The present system of schools is the result of a gradual growth extending
over a period of many years. The development of the schools has kept pace with
the best educational thought of the times; while the school policy of the
community has been conservative enough to insure thoroughness and avoid waste of
time and money, the school authorities have always been eager to introduce
methods and make changes which were prompted by progressive thought in
educational matters. Because of the demonstrated importance and value of
construction work in elementary education a course in manual training has lately
been introduced and plans are under contemplation for the further elaboration
and organization of this work into the curriculum.

    The present school building is a commodious structure erected at a total
cost of about thirty thousand dollars, which contains eleven classrooms besides
a laboratory in the basement. The building has been built in sections, two
additions having been erected since the original structure was built. The
original building, built in 1877 by Trustee M. J. Cook, contained but four
rooms. In 1892 the increased school population made it necessary to erect an
addition of two rooms, and another addition of five rooms became necessary in 1894.

    The high school was first established by Superintendent A. J. Smith during
the administration of Trustee James Reper, Jr., by introducing two years' work
in general history and advanced work in the common branches. This course was
lengthened to three years and enriched during the administration of Trustee
Seward Lighter, while P. J. Gristy was superintendent. In 1896 the course was
further enriched and lengthened to four years, and in 1898 it was examined and
commissioned by the State Board of Education in the name of A. R. Hardesty, who
was superintendent at that time. The high school was re-examined and
re-commissioned in 1901 in the name of the present superintendent, W. R. Curtis,
who was first elected in 1901. In the last three years much attention has been
given to enriching the high school life. The course has been made flexible,
athletic and oratorical organizations have been carefully encouraged, and the
equipment has been greatly increased. The first material equipment for
high-class high school work, which was purchased by Trustee N. P. Banks in 1898,
has been nearly doubled by the present incumbent, Trustee A. J. Swanson.

    A special supervisor of music was employed for the first time in 1903. This
step has proved to be so satisfactory that special work in music is assured for
the future.

    The schools are a part of the township system and the high school is,
therefore, a township high school. Pupils from outlying districts are
transported to the high school at public expense; also transportation is
furnished for children in the elementary schools who live in districts where the
paucity of population renders the maintenance of a separate school impracticable.

    Since the high school was first commissioned in 1898 the enrollment has
increased from about 60 to 82. The fact that the percentage of pupils enrolled
in the high school is now larger than ever before as compared with the total
enrollment in the school is especially interesting because it shows that an
increasing number of citizens are realizing the importance of better education
for their children.

    For years it has been the will of the taxpayers and the ambition of trustees
to add something each year to the equipment of the schools. This policy is a
safeguard and a security of the future social condition of the community.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

ENCYCLOPEDIA
OF
Genealogy and Biography
OF
LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA,
WITH A COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY 
1834—1904

A Record of the Achievements of Its People in the Making of a Commonwealth and
the Founding of a Nation.

REV. T. H. BALL
OF CROWN POINT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO   NEW YORK
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1904


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