She attended schools in Clark and later in North Leigh where she earned the honor of valedictorian of her graduating class in 1925. This was an eighth grade graduation which is the equivalent to completing high school in our day.
There is the mistaken notion that the education received was substandard. Granted, the school year was shorter - from October 1st to April 1st, corresponding with the agrarian calendar. And, of course there are many topics taught today that did not exist in the early 1920's. Obviously, Grandma did not study technology or computer design and graphics. The arithmetic she learned focused on story problems and practical application for the time which differ greatly from advanced math classes in high school today.
The curriculum, nevertheless, was rigorous. At the end of the seventh grade students could challenge the graduation exam, but most students took the exam at the end of grade eight to confirm that the subject matter was understood and prove they were eligible for a diploma.
The Idaho department of education could not provide a copy of the 1925 eighth grade exam. An example of an eight grade exam given in 1911 can be seen below. Give it a try.
The North Leigh School that Grandma attended was built in 1910 and is still standing. If walls could talk there might be some fun tales about Grandma to hear. The building has been renovated and is now a private home.
