Mollie Sink Alabama Female Institute diploma

The Alabama Female Institute was established in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 1833 with the purpose of raising the educational standards for girls by extending the curriculum beyond the basic reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as the cultural and social arts deemed essential for young ladies.

After completing their primary studies, the pupils were formed into three classes (pupils who satisfactorily passes a final exam could enter any of the classes): junior, middle, and senior. The curriculum for the junior class included English grammar exercises, analyzing, critical reading of poetry; ancient geography; introductory lessons in botany, political economy, algebra, rhetoric, philosophy of natural history, and ancient and modern history. The middle class curriculum covered Euclid's geometry, natural history, chemistry, astronomy, botany, physiology, ecclesiastical history, and evidences of Christianity. The senior class curriculum included final courses in geometry and rhetoric, mental and moral philosophy, logic, natural theology, Milton's Paradise Lost, and the analogy of natural and revealed religion.

Latin was studied in all classes as well as French, vocal music, drawing, and needlework. Daily exercises in reading, spelling (until the pupil was proficient in spelling), composition, writing, and vocal music continued throughout the course, as were calisthenics and other exercises deemed to advance a "moral, intellectual, physical, and polite education."

The school continued until 1888 when the property was sold to the city of Tuscaloosa for a public school.