In his visit to Stratford School at this time, Irving did not record whether it had the comfort of a privy. However, he reported that it was an excellent school-house, very well furnished and comfortable, with classes well conducted. Acting School Visitor John MacNeill filed the following report after visiting Stratford School in February of 1858. Catherine Crawford , teacher, had 23 pupils on the roll: "Reading and Spelling - Writing - Arithmetic - Grammar - Remarks - The class in the 4th book read well and understand the meaning of words and passages. Inferior Beginners First parts of speech only learned One of the best and largest schoolhouses in the country; but the children do not attend and the school seems to be unpopular." From the many reports of school inspectors in the 19th century it is clear that school instruction focused on the 3 R's. These were essential to practical living at the time. As G.J. McCormac , School Inspector, stated: I have insisted that teachers pay extra attention to reading, writing and arithmetic and I have given them to understand that no degree of proficiency in any other subjects, though it be perfection, will be accepted as an offset for poor work in the 3 R's. In the beginning of the 20th century a great change in education was talked about in this area. Sir William MacDonald had the far-reaching and generous scheme of building a consolidated school in each of the Maritime provinces and maintaining it for three years. Mt. Herbert was selected as the scene of this new departure in education in our province. To this school, students within a radius of five miles were transported by carriage in sum¬ mer and sled in winter. The school was modern in every detail and had all the advantages of our large consolidated schools today. Parents were enthusiastic and managed to enroll as many of their children as could be accommodated. 33