From one public school to twenty-six in LISD
From one public school to twenty-six in LISD
Written by Jim Dawson Monday, 07 August 2006
In 1871 the citizens of Bagdad (Leander) constructed a two-story rock building about 100 yards east of the town crossroads to replace the tiny one-room cabin that had served as both a school and a church. The bottom floor served as the school and church, and the second floor was the Masonic Hall. There were two teachers, but no grades. All students studied arithmetic, reading and spelling from the Blue Backed Speller.
The first public school was founded in December 1893, and in 1899, the citizens of Leander formed a voluntary association to be incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas to create a school district and apply for a charter. A new school was built the following year using the rock from the old Bagdad school.
The school term in the early days of the twentieth century was somewhat indefinite, although school officials attempted to have at least six months of classes. By 1907, Leander provided an eight-month school term in ten grades. Many students could attend only when they were not needed in the fields to help with farm work, but attendance was stressed whenever possible. Students had to go to Georgetown or Liberty Hill to complete their high school requirements.
Recitation was considered a critical part of the curriculum, including reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, history and geography. Students were ranked according to ability in each subject. A student could be doing fourth grade work in grammar and sixth grade work in history. Time was not to be wasted on endless questions from students or devoted to any one subject.
It was the community’s responsibility to provide room and board for the teachers who lived with various families on a rotating basis. They were usually single women and were expected to devote all their time to teaching. Her life had to be dedicated to the welfare of her students, and her habits physically, intellectually and morally had to be above reproach.
This year the district is comprised of more than 24,000 students enrolled in one of 17 elementary, six middle or three high schools with 1,941 teachers.
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