One Hundred Years Ago

In 1911 61 students were enrolled at Concordia, all boys and young men. It was not until 1927 that Concordia opened its doors to girls.
In the early years the college consisted of two departments. The Classical Department was the equivalent of the secondary school section and stretched over 6 years. The curriculum was described as ‘a course of mathematics and kindred sciences, which sharpen the intellect and encourage studious habits, as well as a study of the languages necessary to furnish a more complete understanding of the Bible.’
Subjects taught included Catechism, Bible History, Elocution, Algebra, Arithmetic and Penmanship, all designed to prepare young men to study theology or to follow some other vocation such as teaching.
The different year levels were known by Latin names, and to us today, seem to progress backwards. The junior years began with Sexta (Latin for ‘sixth';) through Quinta (‘fifth') into Quarta (‘fourth’). After the third year it became a senior class, progressing from Tertia (‘third’) into Secunda (‘second’) and finally Prima (‘first’). Once the final examinations at the end of Prima were passed, students were eligible to enter the seminary or Theological Department for a further 3 years of study.
The Quinta students in the photo were in the second year of their studies at the college. In 1910 they made up Sexta, the largest class ever to be admitted.