Any L.M. Montgomery Scholars Here?

[MKS]

I have been puzzling over this question for days now, and really need some input.

 

My cousin, age 12, and homeschooled, just finished the Anne of Green Gables series. She wants to know why, in the last book, Rilla of Ingleside, Rilla never attends school.

 

The book begins when Rilla is 14. School is never mentioned, though there is mention of Anne (her mother) putting her through "a reading course".

 

I have not nearly enough knowledge of the history of education, public or otherwise, in Canada to confidently draw any conclusions, but the best I have so far is that:

 

-Queens was roughly the equivalent of a private, boarding high school. When you graduated, you were qualified to teach at public district schools, which were grades 1-8.

 

-Having not opted to go to Queens, Rilla graduated 8th grade and was done with her institutional education via her own decision.

 

-Being the doctor's daughter, the household didn't need her income, so it was okay that she didn't work for wages.

 

-I have no earthly clue what, if any, institutional credential would be required for teaching or granted upon completing "a course in reading", which I can only assume is a reading of Classics or Great Books.

 

Am I even close? Any and all thoughts/input are welcome.

[chaik76]

Rilla was done with grammar school, having completed eighth grade. Going on to Queens would have gotten her a teacher's license and she could have taught. However, she wasn't academic so she didn't go...the "course in reading" would not have given her any degree or certificate, nor helped her get a job should she have needed one (except maybe private tutoring/being a governess). She would just have been reading the great books for the sake of education, not as a means to pursue employment.

 

Many girls during that time period didn't work for wages before they were married if their families were wealthy enough to support them.