This picture was taken some time between the years 1915-1919. The male teacher is named John Adams.
According to the Dryden Board of Education meeting minutes, John Adams was hired in 1913 at about of salary of $600. (The teachers were given a salary of $550 per year in October 1912. Because of their good work and service, their salaries were raised to $600 per annum at the Board meeting held on December 23, 1912.)
Mr. Adams became principal of the public school (exact date unknown). According to Mrs. P. Howell (who wrote a book detailing the history of the Anglican church (A Voice From the Wilderness), John Adams told her that he played an important role in the development of the Continuation School Program in Dryden. John Adams resigned from the Board in 1918 or 1919 and moved to the Keewatin area where he was principal of the Continuation School there. A Mr. Vickers was then appointed as principal of the public school.
The enrolment at the public school was 148 in January 1912. Enrolment had increased to 194 by April 1916.
Continuation school (schooling after grade 8 ) was first taught on an informal basis in 1905. With the opening of Albert Street School in 1923, the public school on Van Horne Avenue became a continuation school, offering second class matriculation studies, equivalent to Grade 12 education, until 1935.
In 1935 the continuation school became a high school, offering first class matriculation studies, equivalent to a Grade 13 diploma.
Miss Molly Hasard was principal of the continuation school from 1929 until her retirement in 1939.