USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1867-1870 > Part 42
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Gentlemen of the City Council :
The various interests of our city which I have thus summoned to your notice, in detail, will I know com- mand from you the attention which their importance demands.
We have each taken the solemn oaths of our respec- tive positions; it is for us to assume the responsibility
45
and to direct the management of these large and varied public interests to the best of our ability ; let us there- fore trustingly enter upon these high duties with purity of motive, and singleness of purpose, with a determina. tion to be faithful to every demand ; frankly and openly meeting every question and honestly deciding upon the merits of each case in the broad sunlight of earnest en. deavor to do right, irrespective of all party lines or per- sonal preference ; with the sole aim of proving ourselves worthy the high trusts committed to our care and faith- ful servants of this people; that as the eastern horizon of the present is made glorious with its beaming rays of opportunity, so may the sunset hour of the future, by the refractive influences of faithful duty, greet us with its gorgeous panoply of prismatic light ; and that upon the records of the passing time, nothing shall have been transcribed which shall cause feelings of personal regret, or reflect upon our motives of action or honesty of pur- pose in the fulfilment of the demands of our official posi- tions.
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1
CITY SCHOOLS.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF WORCESTER,
FOR THE YEAR 1869.
JAMES B. BLAKE, President.
ALBERT P. MARBLE, Superintendent.
SAMUEL V: STONE, Secretary.
Members whose term expires January, 1872.
Members whose term expires January, 1871.
Members whose term expires January, 1870.
CALEB B. METCALF, H. WILLIAMS,
GEORGE W. GALE,
EDWARD EARLE,
SAMUEL E. STAPLES, JOHN J. POWER,
P. T. O'REILLEY, JOHN L. MURPHY,
JOHN C. NEWTON,
R. N. MERIAM,
SAMUEL V. STONE,
D. S. GODDARD,
H. K. PERVEAR,
RUFUS WOODWARD.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
On School Houses-Messrs. Stone, Newton, Earle, Goddard and Gale.
On Books and Apparatus-Messrs. Woodward, Stoddard, Williams, Jaques and Ann B. Earle.
On Examination of Teachers-Superintendent, and Messrs. Power, Jaques, Stoddard, Pervear and Metcalf.
On Finance-Mayor, Superintendent, and Messrs. Earle, Dickinson, Murphy, Staples and Warner. On Assigning Visiting Committees-Superintendent, and Messrs. Stone, Jaques, O'Reilley, Newton, and Dean.
O. O. WHEELER,
JOHN DEAN,
GEORGE JAQUES, E. WARNER,
P. EMORY ALDRICH, E. B. STODDARD,
WM. DICKINSON,
ANN B. EARLE,
SAMUEL PUTNAM,
JAMES MELANEFY,
50
VISITING COMMITTEES.
CLASSICAL AND ENGLISHI IIIGII SCHOOL.
Principa !. A. II. Davis.
Committee. Messrs. Jaques, Power, Pervear, Aldrich, Metcalf, Newton and Stoddard. THOMAS STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Aldrich, Dickinson, Williams, Gale, Stoddard, Earle, Staples and Ann B. Earle.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees.
1st GRAMMAR,
N. I. Comins,
Aldrich.
20 66
Caroline Parkinson,
Dickinson.
31
Mary Warren,
Stoddard.
4th
Mary A Harrington,
Williams.
1st SECONDARY.
E. II. Coe,
Stoddard.
17.
Abbie F. Knowles,
Gale.
31
Sarah L. Phillips,
Gale.
PRIMARY,
L. M. Allen,
Earle.
INT. PRIMARY,
Susie G. Gale,
Ann B. Earle.
SUB.
A. M. I'hillips,
Staples.
DIX STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Metcalf, Williams, Warner, Stoddird, Aldrich, Power, Dickinson, Woodward and Ann B. Earle.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
Samuel E. Fitz,
Metcalf.
24 =
V. E. Hapgood,
Williams.
31
E. M. Aldrich,
Williams.
4th
Ellen Merrick,
Warner.
Ist SECONDARY,
Kate A. Meade,
Dickinson.
2d
A. II. Barnes,
Stoddard.
TRAINING SCHOOL,
Miss Rebecca Jones, Principal. Committee-Messrs. Power, Metcalf, Aldrich, Woodward and Ann B. Earle.
SYCAMORE STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Williams, Pervear, O'Reilly, Stone, Warner and Wheeler.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
1st GRAMMAR,
A. A. Hunt,
Williams.
2d
A. S. Dunton.
Pervear.
3d 66
Carrie A. George,
O'Reilley.
Ist SECONDARY,
Carrie R. Clements,
Warner.
2d
Jennie A. Greene,
Wheeler.
PRIMARY,
Sarah W. Clements,
Warner.
INT. PRIMARY,
Emina F. Marsh,
Wheeler.
SUB.
Nellie C. Thomas,
Stone.
PROVIDENCE STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. O'Reilly, Goddard, Earle, Melanefy and Meriam.
Grade.
Henry M. Harrington,
O'Reilly.
Mary F. Reed,
Goddard.
3d
Joanna F. Smith,
Meriam.
4th
Maria P. Cole,
Melanefy.
SECONDARY,
Lydia A. Perry,
Earle.
PRIMARY,
M. Jennie Morse,
Meriam.
INT. PRIMARY,
Sarah J. Newton,
Meriam.
SUB.
Mary T. Magennis,
Melanefy.
LAMARTINE STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Newton, Power, Dickinson, Wheeler, Melanefy, Murphy and Stone. Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
C. C. Foster,
Newton.
2d 66
Mary E. Carr,
Wheeler.
3d
Mary A. Smith,
Power.
Ist SECONDARY, 2d
Ifattie N. Perry,
Wheeler.
PRIMARY,
Nellie L. Moore,
Melanefy.
INT. PRIMARY,
Lizzie E. Goodwin,
Murphy.
SUB
Carrie E. Gilbert,
Stone.
J. E. Prentice,
Dickinson.
Principals. Special Committees. 1st GRAMMAR, 2d
51
EAST WORCESTER SCHOOLS. GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Power, Staples, Murphy, Putnam and O'Reilley. Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
A. E. McCambridge,
Power.
2d 66
Laura L. Newton,
O'Reilley.
1st SECONDARY,
Harriet Hathaway,
Staples.
2d
Annie Brown,
Staples.
1st PRIMARY,
T. S. Darling,
Putnam.
2d 60
E. G. Wheeler,
Murphy.
INT.
C. E. Putnam,
Putnam.
SUB.
E. L. McFarland,
Murphy.
PLEASANT STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Aldrich, Warner, Williams and Woodward. Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR,
Mary F. Wentworth,
Aldrich.
2d
Lizzie Graham,
Warner.
SECONDARY,
J. C. Battles,
Woodward.
PRIMARY,
Lydia M. Wilmarth,
Aldrich.
SUB PRIMARY,
M. P. Jones,
Williams.
MASON STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Warner and Stoddard.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees.
SECONDARY,
Mary E. Bothwell,
Warner. Warner.
PRIMARY,
Mary E. Pease,
ELM STREET SCHOOL.
Grade.
Principal.
Committee.
GRAMMAR,
Emma Brown,
Woodward.
ASII STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Pervear, Melanefy, Murphy, Stone, Staples and Woodward.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
GRAMMAR,
Mary M. Lawton,
Pervear. Murphy.
SECONDARY,
Charlotte N. Follett,
PRIMARY,
Mary J. Mack,
Woodward.
PRIMARY,
E G. Cutler,
Staples.
INT.
Helen M. Shattuck,
Melancfy.
SUB.
E. L. Brooks,
Stone.
SALEM STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Jaques, Meriam, Newton and Stone.
Grade.
GRAMMAR,
Minna S. Fitch,
SECONDARY,
Rebecca Barnard,
PRIMARY,
Kate Hobbs,
SUB. PRIMARY.
Harriet A. Hfarrington,
Stone.
FRONT STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Dickinson, Gale and Melanefy.
Grade.
Principals.
SECONDARY,
Adeliza Perry,
PRIMARY,
Martha Hobbs,
INT. PRIMARY,
Emma J. Claflin,
SUB.
Abbie Pratt,
Special Committees. Dickinson. Melanefy. Dickinson. Gale.
SUMMER STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Earle, Staples, Gale and Ann B. Earle.
Grade.
SECONDARY,
PRIMARY,
Principals. T. S. Nichols, E. G. Chenery,
Special Committees. Earle. Ann B. Earle. Staples. Gale.
TEMPLE STREET SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE-Messrs. O'Reilly and Murphy.
Grade. SECONDARY, &c., PRIMARY,
Principals. Margaret M. Geary, Mary E. D. King, UNION HILL SCHOOLS. Principals. A. E. Ayres, J. Woodworth,
Special Committees. O'Reilley. Murphy.
Grade. GRAMMAR, &c., PRIMARY,
Special Committees. Newton. Newton.
INT. PRIMARY, SUB. ‹‹
E. M. Gates,
I. C. Upton,
Principals. Special Committees. Jaques. Newton. Meriam.
52
FAIRMOUNT SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- MIcssrs. Metcalf, Dickinson, Gale and Ann D. Earle. Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
SECONDARY,
E. A. Rounds,
Metcalf.
PRIMARY, INT.
S. M. Brigham,
Dickinson.
S. M. Buttrick,
Gale.
SUB.
C. P. Townsend,
Ann D. Earle.
Grade.
PRIMARY,
Matilda Parker,
Dcan.
SUB. PRIMARY,
Mary E. Trask, Dean.
SOUTII WORCESTER SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTED .- Messrs. Goddard and Dean.
Grade.
Principals.
Special Committees.
GRAMMAR,
M. Moulton,
Goddard.
1st SECONDARY,
S. A. Bigelow,
Goddard.
2d
E. M. Boyden, Dean.
PRIMARY,
A. E. Ilall,
Dcan.
SUB. PRIIARY,
S Lizzie Coes, NEW WORCESTER SCHOOLS.
Dean.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Jaques, Pervcar and Dean.
Grade.
Principals. Special Committees.
Ist GRAMMAR, 2d 66
Mary E. Maynard,
Jaques. Pervcar.
SECONDARY,
Mary A. Slater,
Dean.
PRIMARY,
Mary A. E. Terrell,
Dean.
QUINSIGAMOND SCHOOLS.
GENERAL COMMITTEE .- Messrs. Goddard, Meriam and O'Reilly.
Grade.
Principals.
GRAMMAR,
II. G. Waite,
SECONDARY,
Anna C. Perry,
PRIMARY.
L. E. Perry,
Special Committees. Goddard. Meriam. O'Reilley.
NORTIIVILLE SCIIOOL. Principal. Special Committee.
Grade.
GRAMMAR,
Hattie M. Johnson, UNGRADED SCHOOLS.
Ann B. Earle.
GENERAL COMMITTEE-Messrs. Power and Newton.
Location.
ORANGE STREET-Boys, .€ Girls,
Geo. A Adams,
P. E. King,
Special Committees. Power. Newton.
Location.
TATNUCK,
VALLEY FALLS,
A. L. Daniels,
LLESVILLE,
E. J. Pratt,
Dean.
BL: THEWOOD,
E. J. Powers,
Goddard.
POND,
L. L. Brooks,
Putnam.
ADAMS SQUARE,
L. M. Ilarrington,
Woodward.
BURNCOAT PLAIN,
E. M. Halsted,
Ann B. Earle.
NORTH POND,
E. S. R. Kendrick,
Metcalf.
CHAMBERLIN,
Clara Manley,
Mctcalf.
EVENING SCHOOLS. Principals.
Special Committees.
ORANGE ST,-Young Men's,
C. A. George,
ELM STREET-Girls,
L. L. Newton,
.Jaques. Newton. Wheeler.
EAST WORCESTER-Girls, Annic Brown,
VOCAL MUSIC.
GRAMMAR AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS-I. N. Metcalf, Teacher.
COMMITTEE-Messrs. Power, Staples and Newton.
The Committees of Visitation shall cxcreise a general supervision over the Schools to which they are severally assigned, and shall visit them according to the provisions of the Statutes, not less than once in four weeks, and generally during the week preceding the monthly meeting of the Board, at which they shall report their true condition .- Rules, Chap. 3, Sec. G.
Though each School is assigned to a Special Committee, yet every member of the Board shall deem it his duty to watch over all the Public Schools of the City, to attend their examinations, and visit them at other times as his convenience will permit .- Rules, Chap. 3, Sec. 9.
Principals.
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS. Principals.
Almeda Brown,
Special Committees. Galc. Jaques.
Location.
S. L. Carter,
ADRIATIC MILLS SCHOOLS. Principals. Special Committees.
Superintendent's Report.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the School Board of Worcester :
In conformity to your regulations, I respectfully sub- mit the following as my Second Annual Report :
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS,
For the year 1869. -
I. POPULATION.
Population of the city, state census, 1865. 30,000
Estimated present population, 41,000
Increase in five years, 11,000
Number of children in the city between the ages of five and
fifteen years, as returned by the assessors, 6846
II. VALUATION.
Valuation of the city, May, 1869.
$31,251,350
Increase for the year. 5,031,150
City debts, aside from investments, 329.725.46
Value of school-houses and lots, 529,000.00
Amount assessed for State. County and City tax. 1869, 469,953.44
Rate of taxation, .0144
Increase. .00155
Ordinary expense of schools,
97,651.82
Per ct. of the same to valuation, .00312
Per ct. of the same to tax assessed.
208
Whole expense of school department. including cost of lots and buildings, 207,956.80
Per ct. of the same to valuation, ,00665 Per ct of the same to tax assessed, .442
Average per ct. of the valuation of 1865 of the cities and towns in the state appropriated for public schools, to be expended in the year 1867-68, .00262
5.4
Percentage of the valuation of 1865, of the city of Worcester,
appropriated for the public schools to be expended in the year 1869, .00563
Amount received from the income of the School Fund of the state for the year 1869, 1115
Salaries of school officers,
3,575.00
Incidental school expenses, including fuel, repairs, janitors, &c.
for the year, 16,445.04
Increase, $2.479.71
Salaries of teachers in all the grades, 77,631.78
Increase. 8,822.59
For salaries of teachers in each grade, see Secretary's Report.
Total ordinary expense for the year, $97,651.82
Increase,
$11,227.30
Extraordinary expense, including furniture, &c. for new houses
and permanent repairs and improvements upon old ones, 8,953.10
Amount expended for new buildings and lots, 101,351.88
Whole cost of school department and buildings,
$207,956.80
Average cost per scholar in all the schools, 15.44
In High School,
In Grammar Schools,
In Secondary Schools,
In Primary Schools,
In Ungraded Schools,
In Suburban Schools, For these items see Secretary's tables.
Total cost of Evening Schools, $969.33
Average cost per scholar per year in Evening schools, 4.31
III. SCHOOL HOUSES.
Number belonging to the city, occupied Dec. 31, 1868, 30
Number Dec. 31, 1869, 31
Number of rooms hired 1868, 3
Number of rooms hired 1869,
3
Number of school houses completed and occupied during the year, including those enlarged at South Worcester and Quinsigamond, 3
55
Number of old houses abandoned at South Worcester and Quinsigamond,
2
Number of school rooms occupied in 1868,
111
Number of school rooms occupied in 1869,
121
Increase,
10
Number of sittings in the city 1869,
6877
Increase,
408
Number of sittings in
High School,
266
Grammar Schools,
1559
Secondary Schools,
1325
Primary Schools,
3153
Ungraded Schools,
116
Suburban Schools, 458
Number of Grammar School houses now building,
2
High School building just commenced,
1
IV. SCHOOLS.
High School, eight rooms,
Increase, 1 room.
Grammar Schools, four grades,
30
Decrease, 1
24
Primary Schools, three grades, including Training School,
45
Increase, 4
Ungraded Schools for boys,
1
Ungraded Schools for girls,
1
Suburban Schools,
10
At Tatnuck,
Valley Falls,
Leesville,
Blithewood,
Pond District,
Adam's Square,
Burncoat Plain,
North Pond,
Northville,
Chamberlain District.
Evening Schools,
On Orange St. for young men,
2
4
1
Secondary Schools, two grades, Increase, 3
56
On Elm St. for young ladies. 1
On Shrewsbury St. for young ladies, 1 Whole number of schools, Increase, 7
116
The following Primary Schools are double. On Summer St., 1
On Shrewsbury St., 2
On Providence St., 1 On Lamartine St., 1
During the winter term an assistant is employed at Northville and one at Tatnuck.
Number of Private Schools patronized to any extent by citizens, 6
V. TEACHERS. -
Male teachers in the High School, 2
Female teachers in the High School, 6
Increase, 1
Male teachers in the Grammar and Ungraded Schools, 6
Female teachers in the Grammar, Secondary, Primary, Ungrad-
ed and Suburban Schools, 115
Increase, 13
Female teachers in the Evening Schools,
8
Increase, 1
Male teachers in Evening Schools, Decrease, 1
C
Special teacher of music, male,
1
Number of male teachers, 9
Decrease, 1
Number of female teachers, 129
Increase, 15
Whole number of teachers including assistants and teachers of Evening Schools, some of whom are also employed in the day schools, 138
Increase, 14
Number of teachers who have graduated at either of the State Normal Schools, 8
Number who have graduated at our Training School, 15
VI. PUPILS.
Number registered in the Public Schools during the year, 8691
57
Estimated number from the city belonging to Private Schools here,
Average number belonging to the schools during the year,
6322
Increase, 210
Average daily attendance, 5610
Increase, 183
Average daily absence, Increase, 27
712
Number at the close of the Fall Term, 1868,
5930
Number at the close of the Winter Term, 1868-69, 5852
Decrease, 78
Number at the close of the Spring Term, 1869, Decrease, 310
5542
Number at the close of the Summer Term, 1869, Increase, 21
5563
Number at the close ot the Fall Term, 1869, Increase, 855
6448
Per cent. of daily attendance to average number belonging, in Center District,
.91919
Increase, 004
Per cent. as above, in the Suburban Schools, Increase, 063
.891
Per cent. of attendance, whole city,
.917
Increase, 01
Number perfect in attendance the whole year, Increase, 7
289
Number perfect three terms, 190
Number perfect two terms,
873
Number perfect one term,
2360
Whole number registered in High School, 305
Boys, 118. Girls, 187.
Increase, 30
Average number belonging to the High School, Increase, 30
212
Average daily attendance, Increase, 29
207
Per cent. of daily attendance,
.976
Decrease, .00299
200
58
Number perfect in attendance,
25
Number perfect three terms,
22
Number perfect two terms,
73
Number perfect one term, 105
Number of graduates, May, 1869,
14
Average number of pupils belonging to Grammar Schools,
1308
Decrease, 169
Average daily attendance at Grammar Schools, 1197
Decrease, 178
Per cent. of attendance at Grammar Schools, .940
Same last year.
Average number of pupils belonging to Secondary Schools, 1241
Increase, 210
Average daily attendance at Secondary Schools, Increase, 189
1131.5
Per cent. of attendance at Secondary Schools,
.911
Decrease, .001
Average number of pupils belonging to Primary Schools, 2927
Increase, 98
Average daily attendance at Primary Schools, 2614
Increase, 119
Per cent. of attendance at Primary Schools, ,862
Decrease, .019
Average number of pupils belonging to Ungraded Schools, Increase,
90
Average daily attendance at Ungraded Schools, Increase,
78
Per cent. of attendance at Ungraded Schools, Increase, .863
Average number of pupils belonging to Suburban Schools, 323
Increase,
Average daily attendance at Suburban Schools, Increase,
283
Per cent. of attendance at Suburban Schools,
Increase, .891
Average number of pupils to a regular teacher in the High School, 26.5
59
Increase, .5
Average daily attendance to a regular teacher in the High School, 25.9
Increase, .45
Average number of pupils to a regular teacher in Grammar Schools, Increase, .16
43.6
Average daily attendance to a regular teacher in Grammar Schools, 39.9
Decrease,
.53
Average number of pupils to a regular teacher in Secondary Schools, Increase, .14
51.7
Average daily attendance to a regular teacher in Secondary Schools, 47.1
Increase,
Average number of pupils to a regular teacher in Primary Schools, 58.2
Decrease, 1.69
Average daily attendance to a regular teacher in Primary Schools, 52.3
Decrease,
.79
Average number of pupils to a regular teacher in Ungraded Schools, 40
Decrease, 5.40
Average daily attendance to a regular teacher in Ungraded Schools, 34.7
Decrease,
5.45
Average number of pupils to a regular teacher in Suburban Schools, 31.5
Increase, 2.21
Average daily attendance to a regular teacher in Suburban Schools, 27.6
Increase, 3.54
Whole number of pupils registered in Evening Schools, 413
Average number belonging, 225
60
Average daily attendance at Evening Schools,
100
Average daily attendance to a teacher in Evening Schools, 12.5
The Evening Schools are in session four months, - from December to March inclusive.
Average age of pupils in High School, Jan. 1, 1870, in years and months,
14:9
In Grammar Schools, first grade,
14:6
In Grammar Schools, second grade, 13:5
In Grammar Schools, third grade, 13:3
In Grammar Schools, fourth grade, 12:1
In Secondary Schools, first grade, 11:6
In Secondary Schools, second grade, 10:7
In Primary Schools, 9:3
In Intermediate Primary Schools,
8:6
In Sub-Primary Schools, 6:6
In Ungraded Schools, 12:8
In Suburban Schools,
Average age of pupils in all grades, Center District,
10:2
Age of admission to lowest Primary School, 5.
From the above it appears that the valuation of the city has increased about sixteen per cent. The increase in the ordinary expenses of the schools, is about thir- teen per cent ; so that the increased expenses for schools, incident to our growing population, is more than met bv increased ability to pay. We can still afford to main- tain schools of the first order; and in the liberality with which she sustains her public schools, Worcester is not behind anv of her sister cities of the Commonwealth.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Within the past four years, unusual expenditures have been made, in the erection of new school houses. This was necessary from the increase in population, and be- cause crowded schools and double schools have been too long endured. These evils are not yet remedied ; but if the present policy continues, the day of deliverance is at hand. The wisdom of a liberal provision of school
61
accommodations, can be doubted by no one familiar with our schools. And in providing such accommodations future wants should be anticipated, from the indications always to be seen.
The houses in process of erection, at the time of the last report, on Edgeworth street, and at South Worcester, and Quinsigamond, have been completed and occupied. The former contains four rooms-two upon each floor- and a hall in the Mansard roof. It was opened last Sep- tember and immediately filled with four schools, number- ing in all more than two hundred pupils. These were drawn from Northville, where one school was discontin- ued in consequence ; from Summer street, where a double school must still be tolerated ; and from Dix street, where one room was vacated for the better accommodation of the Training School. No other schools have suffered any material diminution by the opening of this house, while many new pupils have doubtless been gained to the schools. At Quinsigamond the enlargement of the old house gives us six good rooms and a commodious hall. Three schools were organized in September from the two theretofore exist- ing. It will soon be necessary to organize a fourth. The house at South Worcester was enlarged like the other, and five of the six rooms are now occupied. The crowded condition of the schools both at this place and at Adriatic Mills has thus been relieved ; and the benefits resulting from sufficient accommodations here cannot be overestimated.
The new house on Woodland street will be ready for occupants in May, and will furnish the much needed room for Primary scholars in the vicinity of Pleasant street, Mason street, and Sycamore street, if it shall seem wise to transfer some of the higher grades to that
8
6.2
house. The Ledge street house it is hoped will furnish similar relief to the Lamartine street, the Providence street, and in part to the East Worcester schools, as early as September next.
The next place where more room will be needed is in the vicinity of Belmont street. The numerous and increasing population on the hill in the vicini- ty of Laurel street, scarcely finds room in the Summer street and Thomas street houses. Harrington avenue, Catherine street and Oak avenue, where building is active, are remote from these schools. The old house at East Worcester, since it is not worth repairing, must before long be abandoned. The older pupils from the neighborhood can be accommodated in part at Provi- dence street, when the Ledge street house is occupied, and in part at Thomas street, if the latter. can be reliev- ed of the pupils north of Laurel street. These circum- stances indicate that a new house will be urgently needed in the vicinity of Belmont street before one can be completed. If the City Council act in this matter, which is already before them, as promptly as they have in other cases, they will leave no want, of which there is now any indication, unsupplied.
In my last report the necessity for a new High School house was pointed out. Soon after, you received a peti- tion for such a house, signed by one thousand citizens, most of whom were directly interested in that school, from having pupils there or about to be there, and many of whom were among the most wealthy-those whose taxes would largely pay for the new house. With- out dissent, this Board called upon the City Council to act upon the petition ; and with the same promptness which that body has, for the last four years, uniformly shown towards this highest interest of the city, they
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have contracted for a building, spacious to provide for the wants of the future, and somewhat elegant, to be an ornament to our city, and express the generosity of her citizens towards this school which stands at the head of the system.
The rapid increase of population within the last four years, has brought a swelling tide of pupils to our schools whose onward wave has not yet reached the High School. That wave was at its lowest ebb last year, when only fourteen young ladies and gentlemen gradu- ated from this school. The other houses recently built are constructed upon a very economical plan ; and you will search the country in vain for a city which has, in the space of five years, furnished more numerous, more comfortable, and more inexpensive school sittings, than has this city. And ought we not in one house at least, to show some appreciation of that which is beyond bare utility, as in this school itself we show our apprecia- tion of the higher culture which it affords ?
SCHOOLS.
It will be seen that the number of Grammar schools is one less than last year. This is in consequence of classing Northville with the suburban schools. All the increase in the number of schools is in the lower grades ; and here is an indication of the lamentable fact, that the age at which pupils, in our cities, leave school, is earlier, year by year.
The course of study pursued in our schools contem- plates the entrance of pupils at the age of five years, and covers a period of thirteen years, including the High School. Those who enter at a more advanced age, and with larger mental development, should complete it in less time.
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