97 YEARS AGO • 1924

THOMPSON FALLS BOASTS OF MODERN SCHOOL, NEW BUILDINGS

Keeping abreast of modern school procedure, the people of Thompson Falls and vicinity under the leadership of trustees A.S. Ainsworth, J.W. Frisbie and Dr. A.W. Rew have enlarged their school plant and have enriched their school program. We have today one of the largest and best public school dormitories in the state, erected in the summer of 1922 at a cost of over $50,000 for building and equipment.

The buildings of the Thompson Falls Public Schools are located together on a campus comprising a city block, from the well-kept grounds of which may be had a splendid view of the Clark's Fork River, with its large power dan and of the surrounding mountains.

Increased enrollment has been met with added buildings and a larger teacher corps. Further demands of modern economic and social conditions have resulted in a more complete educational offering. The buildings, the opportunities and the social life are similar to those of a small college. It is one of the few schools in the state that has all the advantages of a dormitory, free music offering and a good practical arts program. All of these advantages are within the reach of students of only average means. All students residing in the county are exempt from any tuition fee but all non-residents will be required to pay a tuition fee of $35 per semester.

Music hall offers the best in an environment which stimulates achievement among the students. The conservatory provides several practice rooms, classrooms for four music teachers, an office for the music administrator and storage rooms for the school instruments and uniforms. A large number of students are able to practice without interference because of the soundproof construction of the walls, the ceilings and the doors. Free music opportunities are made possible to all through the use of a master schedule, designed to accommodate more than 300 instrumental and vocal students, with practice and instructional periods daily.

New Men's Hall

The new men's hall represents an enlargement of the program designed for close supervision, for healthful living and for worthwhile leisure activity. Equipped with dean's apartments, hospital and nurse's room, this building is large enough to house 90 boys. Students enjoy comfortable, convenient and homelike living quarters, a balanced diet and an opportunity to develop habits of citizenship. Each room is neatly equipped with shades, rugs, dressers, beds, blankets and pillows. A beautiful recreation room, comprising a large part of the dormitory, is suitable for social gatherings.

The new administration building, the last word in school architecture, provides an office for the superintendent and the clerk, several classrooms and a large study hall.

Cross-Section of People

The students represent a fair cross-section of Montana's people. Many of them are the children of engineers, contractors, traveling agents and of those who do not maintain permanent homes. Many of them state that they are in the Thompson Falls school to take advantage of the varied curriculum and the free music lessons which are offered there. Parents value the homelike, carefully supervised and safe environment for their children. Students are offered maximum opportunities for study, development and self-expression in their various fields of interest and talent – music, art, acting, public speaking, dancing, woodwork, homemaking and athletics. Opportunities for leadership training are found in clubs and student organizations of many kinds, The Home Economics club, Peppy Service corps, Thespians, Quill and Scroll, Lettermen's club, and the Camera club attract students of ambition and originality. Students of journalism enjoy putting out the high school paper and the annual.

Thomson Falls, county seat of Sanders, is located in the mountains of a region outstanding for its scenery. A large number of tourists pass each year through this vicinity. Fishing and hunting are plentiful. Thompson Falls boasts a large hydroelectric plant, an active Commercial club, two doctors, lawyers, a dentist, a weekly paper and a fine theater. The headquarters for the Cabinet National Forest Service is located there, and many of the forestry people make their homes in Thompson Falls. This most unique school system, composed of seven large buildings situated on a steep slope from the city, finds a perfect setting in the Thompson Falls region.