The early 1900s were among the most prosperous in the school's history, as enrollment never dipped below 200 during this period. On March 5, 1906, the college's main building was destroyed by fire. At a meeting the following day, the college's administrators and students agreed to finish the year and make plans to rebuild. Classes were held at the campus church and in private residences until the end of the term. The college was closed for several months while a new building was constructed. In spite of fundraising struggles, the new building was completed in 1907. Burritt again suffered with enrollment issues following the departure of Billingsley in 1911, due in part to the opening of two state normal schools in the region: Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro and Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (modern Tennessee Tech) in Cookeville. The Board struggled to find a permanent president until the hiring of Henry Eugene Scott in 1918. During the 1920s, Scott overhauled the curriculum to bring it more in line with that of a typical preparatory school and junior college, offering courses in agriculture, typing, bookkeeping, and teacher training, as well as high school courses. By the 1930s, Burritt had become dependent on the Van Buren County school board for much of its funding. When the school board decided to build a county high school in 1936, Burritt was no longer able to compete for students. It finally closed in 1939. Throughout the 19th century, Burritt College provided a classical education, with a core that focused on sciences, philosophy, classical languages, and mastery of the English language. The college held session for two 21-week terms (Fall and Spring) per year. Students were required take at least three, but no more than four, classes per term. Students who completed the curriculum were awarded with a Bachelor of Arts or a Master of Arts. During its early decades the college was divided into two departments: the "academical" and the "collegiate." Students in the academical department were required to take Latin, mathematics, geography, spelling, writing and history during their first year, with Greek and English composition added in the second. Students in the collegiate department were to take courses in Latin, Greek and mathematics during the first three years, and chemistry, geology, political and moral philosophy, astronomy, "evidences of Christianity," and criticism during their senior year. Electives included French, German, drawing and painting, music, and needlework and embroidery. Anatomy, physiology, botany, and gymnastics were added to the curriculum during the Brents administration.