Page 18 - MOST RECENT

EDUCATION

A General History from 1856 1971

Before the town of Kernersville received its charter
in 1871, schools were being operated by both church and
other groups. It is significant that even during the Civil
War, when so many schools were closed in the South,
classes were being held. In fact, one outstanding school,
The Kernersville Academy, received its charter in Ral-
eigh in 1863. It had opened several years earlier.
About 1856, the Masons opened what is said to be
the first school in Kernersville. It was a subscription
school and parents supported it by paying a tuition. The
School was at the old "Plunket Place " which is now
'
.
the site of the Pierce Funeral Home. The school was
opened in a two-room house and one of the teachers
during the period of operation was Miss Gaiselle Dicks
from Randleman, North Carolina. Later she married
Doctor Elias Kerner. She was the mother of the late Mr. Fentress
Addie Kerner Adkins. Another teacher was Sarah Anne Richard P. Kerner, Principal Teacher at Kernersville Academy
Mabry, the mother of the late J. M. Greenfield. Accord-
ing to reports this school continued throughout the Civil
War period.
In 1858 posters were distributed which announced street from Nash Printing Company). The two-story
the opening of the Kernersville High School or the old brick building had two large auditoriums and a number
Kernersville Academy. It was announced that the Acad- of class rooms and was equipped with a bell in a
emy would open on November 3, 1858. It is interesting cupola. On the first floor there was a large assembly
to note that the poster assured the people that "every room on the right and small classrooms on the left. On
possible care will be taken to guard tho·se placed under the second floor there was a large room and small rooms
our tuition against those evils so dangerous to the for classes. Also the school had a town clock.
young." Also, the board for students in the 1850' s varied In the Fayetteville Observer of June 20, 1864 an
from $5 to $10 per month. announcement stated the following: "Kernersville High
The old Kernersville Academy was located on the School, male and female, R. P. Kerner, Principal aided
lot in the exact center of the town (see marker across the by competent teachers, Rev. William Perry, Chaplain.
The Fall Session will open July 26, 1864. Board at the
old price if paid in produce, but if not, as low in money
as can be afforded. A deduction of one-half to wounded
soldiers." Tuition: Primary Branches $48; Arithmetic,
The Plunkett Place - First School in Kernersville.
Geography, etc., $20; Latin, algebra, and geometry, $25.
One of the prime movers for the establishment of
the Academy was Dr. Elias Kerner, who was one of the
trustees of the school. It was said that Dr. Kerner
made the statement after his first child was born, "Now
we must have a good school." He gave the land for the
Academy and got other citizens interested.
In the Private Laws of the State of North Carolina
passed by the General Assembly at its Called Session
of 1863, "An Act to Incorporate the Kernersville High
School in the County of Forsythe" was recorded. It was

as follows:
Section 1. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it
is hereby enacted by the authority of the same,

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