[n the late eighteen hundreds, it was not unusual to have enrollments of between 40 and 50 pupils. in l893 there was a total of 54 pupils, 30 boys and 24 girls. In the early nineteen hundreds enrollments varied around twenty, and by nineteen fifty had dropped to the low teens.

When the school closed in l972 there were l2 pupils attending - Grades l through 6. They now travel to Summerside by School Bus where they attend Athena Regional Elementary School.

It may be interesting to note the following comparison:

l87l l97l Schools on Prince Edward Island 38l l8# Schools in Prince County 10h 62 Teachers on Prince Edward island 38l l,658 Teachers in Prince County th 697 Students on Prince Edward Island l5,795 30,570 Students in Prince County 4,265 l2,69l

We are proud that the famed Lucy Maud Montgomer taught in our school from October 1896 to June l897. Many other fine men and women sat in the teacher's chair in Belmont School (see list). in l9lh the teacher, Laura Fraser, started a school library with money obtained from exhibits of weeds and wild flowers at the exhibitions held at Charlottetown and Summerside. It was in this year that the school roof was shingled, and in l9l5 the school ground was enclosed by a fence.

R. Brewer Auld of Freetown, school inspector for District No. 2, reported in l92l; In no schooZ have I found more harmony between teacher, pupiZs, and parents. It was in this year that the water pump was installed; the flag and flag pole erected; a new closet provided; two maps purchased. The

interior was papered and painted, and the exterior whitewashed.

in 192% the school was put on a new concrete foundation, and the grounds graded. in l925 and l927 the exterior of the building was repaired. Other renovations have taken place over the years

including installation of indoor toilets, oil heat, and propane lighting.

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