Greenfield is a thriving town of about two thousand people, situated in Weakley County, on the main line of the Illinois Central Railroad, at the highest point between Chicago and New Orleans.  It is about 440 miles south of Chicago, 460 miles North of New Orleans, 110 miles west of Nashville, 100 miles northeast of Memphis, and 40 miles north of Jackson, TN.

The elevation of Greenfield is 334 feet, only one foot lower than that of Nashville, the capital of the State.  Statistics at Washington, it is claimed, show this to be the most healthful section, not only of West Tennessee, but of the whole State.

The Rolling surface, and sandy, well drained soil, make the surrounding country well adapted to fruit growing, which is carried on extensively; but other farm products are grown, and stock raising is an important industry.

The citizens are wide-awake, hustlin and thorough-going, social and friendly.  As a rule, they are not only moral, but church-going Christians, whose influence is felt for good.

An excellent public school of about four hundred students is maintained in another building, on another street.  This school is directed by a board of wise business men, and taught by a competent faculty.

The churches of Greenfield are modern in structure and a credit to the town.  Their thriving condition bespeaks the character of the people.  Five denominations are represented here - Methodist, Cumberland Presbyterian, Baptist, Christian, and Presbyterian.

BUILDING

The Training School building is a handsome two-story brick, with stone trimmings.  In the opinion of a noted educator, it is the most conveniently arranged and handsomely built plant for an ideal training school he has ever seen.  There are eight large classrooms, library, office, four cloak rooms, spacious halls, and an auditorium or study hall where the people of the town can be comfortably seated  for all public exercises.  In the lower hall are four stairways, two leading to the second floor, and two to the basement rooms.  The basements are fitted with shower baths, lavatories and toilets.  The whole is heated by three immense furnaces, lighted by electricity, and supplied with running water from wells sunken 300 feet below the reach of surface water.

This is a private school, owned by a local stock company, and maintained by tuition.  No church can own or control it under the present charter, but all the company are Christian men and every member of the faculty is a member of some church; therefore the school is thoroughly Christian, but not sectarian.

This school is in no sense a college, nor do we propose to do college work.  Our purpose is to conduct a high grade preparatory school, with courses of study which will enable our students to enter any college or university in the land.  After completing our courses, those who do not wish to go to college will find themselves prepared to meet the problems of business life, or to teach successfully in the public high schools of the State.  We confer no degrees, offer no diplomas; but certificates will be awarded those completing any one of the prescribed courses.

Greenfield Training School gives as complete preparation for life as any such school, and has the additional merit of showing the student his real place in educational matters and pointing him to higher things.  That thoroughness is scholarship and discipline which leads to the development of a well rounded character, is our aim.

Graduates from this school will be admitted into the freshman classes of all the leading colleges.  Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and a few of the other great institutions do not admit students of certificate, but pupils of Greenfield Training School are prepared to pass successfully the examinations set for admission to these schools.  Hereafter we shall have our senior classes take the questions prepared by the college entrance board.  A number of colleges are offering scholarships through this school to leading members of the senior class.  This list will be submitted to anyone requesting it.

The multiplication of small rules of discipline is humiliating to noble minded teachers and honorable students. An unwritten code among students that will stamp out with shame the necessity for petty punishment is the best discipline.  There are schools where this is possible. A few bad pupils make rules for the whole school.  Their fellow-students should make them bear the odium.  It is dishonorable to shield that which does injustice to teachers and fellow students who desire to do their duty.  ABSOLUTE obedience is and ABSOLUTE necessity where concert action is required.  Any manifestation of disrespect or impudence is destructive to successful teaching and can never be tolerated.

All who are old enough to understand will be suppose to come with the purpose of getting all the benefit possible.  In turn they should encourage others to do the same.  Students will be treated as gentleman, and ladies unless they make it impossible.  If any one persists in making disturbance or encourages it in others, he will be dismissed.  The anarchist will be banished.  Intoxicants, fire-arms, and cards are positively forbidden.

As the teachers stand in the place of parents, they claim and exercise the right of absolute control over their pupils at all hours, whether in school or out, but will allow them all the freedom consistent with good discipline.  We think we properly understand your rights in your own children, and we hope we have a due sense of our responsibility, and of the delicate relation established between us, when you agree to send your boys and girls to us.  If you have not confidence enough to allow us to control them, and do not intend to make them conform to the regulations of the school - do not send them.  It is injustice to us, puts you in a false position, and is ruinous to our children.  There are many ways to injure the teacher’s authority and destroy his influence for good.  Have your children come regularly and promptly, if you wish them to think their work of importance.  Let them stop for trifles and you teach them the school is a trifle.  Let them be absent now and then and you put them behind, hopelessly behind for the session.  Do not allow them to drop studies.  A pupil generally dislikes what he needs most.  To allow this puts a premium on fickleness and indolence.

Do not send notes and messages that will encourage your child to assert his wish or opinion.
 
 

Board may be secured at moderate cost in a number of excellent families.  The principal will run one of these boarding houses and will accommodate a few students practically at cost. With almost everything produced at home, we can board students at $12 per month.  Students will be placed only in those homes where the principal is assured of the earnest co-operation of the head of the household in accomplishing the highest aims of the school.  Each student may, under the supervision of the teachers, choose his own boarding place, but the principal reserves the right to make at any time any changes he may deem necessary for the good of the school.  Each pupil is expected to furnish his own toilet articles, towels. one pair of blankets, one pair of sheets, one pillow, and two pillow slips.

To boarding students the teachers stand in the place of parents, and will accordingly pay especial attention to their health and general welfare.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT
The school of music will be under the direction of Miss Eugenia Moore, who will teach both piano and voice.  Miss Moore had studied in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Chautauqua, New York, and has the additional advantages of much travel and teaching experience.  She comes to us with high recommendations both as a teacher and as a cultured Christian woman.

The purpose of this school will be to give the pupil thorough training in technique, to encourage a love and appreciation for good music; not merely to give the pupils a showy repertoire, but to make of them good musicians. Recitals will be given from to to time to accustom them to public performance, and that they may acquire self-possession in playing and singing.

The course will be graded, and students will be advanced as rapidly as proficiency will permit, leading to a certificate, which will be accepted and recognized by the leading conservatories.

Miss Moore will use the sweet-toned Story & Clark piano which was awarded to Mrs. Harris by the Pope Piano Co., of Memphis, Tenn, for a competitive article on Music in the Home.

The starting of children in a correct way cannot be overestimate, so we have arranged to take a limited number, under the guidance of Mrs. Harris, who had had very satisfactory experience in the training of the little folks.  Those who trust their children to Mrs. Harris need have no fears as to their advancement.  They will be taught according to approved methods, by a mother who understands a child’s nature.  The reputation of this department is attested by the fact that pupils coming from our primary room generally take the lead in the higher work.

This course is planned to cover about two years’ work, and prepares for our academic department. Spelling, writing, arithmetic, grammar, physiology, geography, and United States history are included in this course.

Greenfield Training School offers two courses leading to certificates.  The value of each, in Carnegie units is outlined below:

CLASSICAL
English 4
Mathematics 4
Latin 4
greek 2
History 2
Science 1/2

SCIENTIFIC
English 4
Mathematics 4
Latin 4
German 1 1/2
History 2
Science 1

Students wishing to avoid entrance examinations should bring a written statement, signed by the principal of the school previously attended, showing what subjects have been taken and completed, and naming the text-books used.

Any student leaving may have a statement showing what has been accomplished.  A record book is kept, and every student is carefully catalogued for future reference.

We already have a few hundred well selected volumes, reading tables, magazines, and a room fitted up.  We trust the room may soon have all the books that are needed to cary out our extensive English course.

There are four Literary Societies in this school:  Crown, Jefferonian, Crescent and Platonian.  These societies meet once a week in the building and carry out a program of debate, declamation, essay and music.  They often have joint and public meetings.  Every student on entering school is assigned to one of these societies.  The students take great pride in their society, and the rivalry brought about by contests fosters a wonderful spirit that is of untold value to the students and the school.

The faculty encourages students in all manly sports.  Ample grounds have been provided where, after recitations are over the class-worn student may temper down his robust energy in a somewhat rough but generous sports that schoolboys like.  Football, baseball, basketball and tennis are each here in season.  Here of their own accord, they think, they plan, they act - all in an instant for victory.  Qualities of initiative, of organization, of self-discipline, of decision, and of execution developed here in play are what in later life blaze out new paths, distance competitors, and win distinction.  Here a member of the faculty does the coaching, and sees that the boys conduct themselves in a gentlemanly way.

This school does not stand for stand for professionalism in any form, neither are we so desirous of winning games as to employ players.  The members of our teams cannot be loafers in school.  They must be bona fide students, in good standing, with full and regular work.  Our desire is to encourage true sportsmanship, and courteous, cordial relations with other schools, and to teach our students how to treat an opponent, - a lesson that will prove invaluable in after life.  Our teams are never permitted to go away to play other schools, unless accompanied by one or more of our teachers.

Our 1912 football team won 60 per cent of their games, defeating Union University, Jackson, Tenn.; University School, Trenton, Tenn.; Marvin University School, Clinton, Ky.; and losing to McTyeire School, McKenzie, Tenn., and McFerrin School, Martin, Tenn.  We opened the baseball season under unfavorable conditions, but the boys worked hard and won from McFerrin, Marvin University School, Trenton University School, and Sharon High School.  They tied McTyeire and were defeated by the Vanderbuilt Reserves.

Prizes offered by the Pope Piano Company to the persons writing the best article on "WHY EVERY HOME SHOULD HAVE A PIANO OR PIANO-PLAYER" have been awarded.  The winners of the first prize, the $650 Autopiano, are Mrs. W. Lee Harris, Greenfield, Tenn and Mrs. W. J. Wallace, Memphis, Tenn.  The judges having decided that their articles were of equal merit.

1.   Thorough and adequate preparation for college

2.   The teachers are college trained and know the needs of the boys and girls.

3.   No student can drop a study or change his course without the permission of the principal.

4.   Honor system is en couraged; rules and regulations are made only to meet necessities.

5.  Deficiency in one subject shall not prevent progress in others.

6.   Entrance into the best colleges without examinations.

7.  Purpose is summed up in these three words: MORAL, SPIRITUAL, and MENTAL development.
 

Brochure provided by Perry Brock
Scans by Joe Stout