USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1930 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
Growth of the Elementary Grades
A convenient division of the public school system is to group the grades as follows :
Primary Grades I-II-III Elementary Grades IV-V-VI Junior High School VII-VIII-IX Senior High School X-XI-XII
111
However, for this part of the study, grades I-VI will be grouped as the "Elementary" school grades. The following figures will show the pe- culiarities in the growth of these grades during the past ten years.
Figure No. 5
Year
Enrollment
Annual Variation
1920
950
1921
894
-56
1922
1024
+130
1923
979
-45
1924
1002
+23
1925
1098
+96
1926
1228
+130
1927
1143
-85
1928
1137
-6
1929
1204
+67
Net gain in 10 years
256
Percentage of increase
25.8
During four of the ten years there has been a loss in enrollment from the previous year. This has resulted in a net gain of only 256 pupils during that period. Just why this is true of these elementary grades and not of the others would be difficult to explain. Undoubtedly the reduction of retardation by guidance and the formation of "oppor- tunity" classes has been an important factor. The rate of increase is lower than that of the population as well as that of the upper grades in the school system. This is shown more graphically in the figure below.
Growth of Enrollment in Grades I - III.
Fig. No. 6
2000
1900
10 year rate of increase 26.8 per cent.
1800
1700
Estimated enrollment
1600
1940 = 1525 pupils
1500
1400
1950 = 1932 pupils
/300
1200
1100
1000
200
800
1920
1921
1922
1923
182.4
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1937
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1997
1948
1949
1950
112
The heavy irregular line shows very clearly the variations in en- rollment from year to year. However, there has been an upward trend of 26.8 per cent during the period. Again, on the assumption that it is probable that this rate may continue, we can make an approximate es- timate that there will be by 1940 in these first six grades about 1525 pupils, and by 1950 in the neighborhood of 1932 pupils. This would mean that within ten years housing facilities for 321 more pupils must be provided. This would be the equivalent of a ten room building. Also, within the second ten years another demand for ten more rooms will be evident. This situation will be fully considered in the later studies to be presented.
The Growth of the Junior High School
The following table will show the growth of grades VII, VIII and IX for the past ten years with the gains and losses for each year.
Figure No. 7
Year
Enrollment
Loss or Gain
1920
418
1921
408
-10
1922
399
-9
1923
475
+76
1924
492
+17
1925
472
-20
1926
488
+16
1927
499
+11
1928
523
+24
1929
558
+35
Net increase for 10 years
179
Per cent of increase
42.8
From these figures it will be noticed that distinct losses were met for three years, but that a single jump in 1923 more than made up these numbers. From 1926, and with the opening of the new building in 1927, there has been an increasing gain. The total net gain in the ten years was 179 pupils or 42.8 per cent increase. A graphic representation of this growth, with estimates of future enrollments, is given below.
113
Growth of Junior High School Grades
Fig. No. 8.
1200
1150
1100
10 year rate of increase 42.8 per cent .
1050
Estimated future enrollment
1000
950
900
1940 = 796 pupils
850
1950 = 1136 pupils
800
750
700
6 50
600
550
500
450
400
350
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
/926
1927
1928
1929
/930
1931
/932
1933
1934
1935
/936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
Again upon the assumption that no unusual or disturbing factors will enter into the situation, and that the growth of the past ten years will continue at about the same rate, lines have been drawn in the graph (No. 8) indicating that the estimated enrollment in the Junior High School by 1940 will be approximately 796 pupils. It will be re- called that in the report to the School Committee, which I made for the original planning of this building, a schedule of rooms for 800 pupils was recommended.
To carry this process of estimation on to 1950 shows an expected enrollment at that time of about 1136 pupils. This situation will force upon the town the necessity of maintaining a large Junior High School by building additions to the present building.
Growth of the Senior High School
The growth of the Senior High School has been more regular and consistently upward than any part of the school system. This may be due to the general demand for a high school education by all who have the ability and the opportunity to avail themselves of the training. The figures given below will show the record of the past ten years.
114
Figure No. 9
Year
Enrollment
Loss or Gain
1920
218
1921
246
+28
1922
278
+32
1923
291
+13
1924
312
+21
1925
357
+45
1926
366
+9
1927
383
+17
1928
382
-1
1929
405
+23
Net gain in 10 years
187
Per cent of increase
85.8
This increase in the Senior High School of over 85 per cent, is characteristic of the growth throughout the country. This increase has been phenomenal since 1890, and we have only recently seemed to have reached the peak of this demand. The graph given below will illus- trate this growth and at the same time indicate what may be expected in the future if this rate of increase should continue.
Growth of the Senior High School Enrollment
Fig. No. 10
1500
1400
10 year rate of increase 85.7%
1
1200
Estimated future enrollment 1940 = 749 pupils 1
1
1000
900
1950 = 1394 pupils
700
600
Conservative Estimate
500
400
300
1000 Pupils by. 1950
200
100
1920
1921
1922
/923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
/933
1934-
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1982
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1988
1949
1950
-
1300
1100
1
800
115
While we have no positive evidence that the enrollment in the Senior High School will not continue at the same high rate, I am of the belief that this can be discounted slightly in the future development as indicated by a second dotted line reaching an estimate of about 1000 pupils by 1950. The program of studies at the Reading Senior High School could well be improved and expanded if building conditions would permit. There is practically no opportunity for growth in the present structure. With a modern building, including a good gym- nasium, auditorium, shops and practical arts laboratories, the enroll- ment would certainly increase. It is evident that within a very few years steps must be taken to provide a modern building to accommo- date from 700 to 1000 pupils on a site that will allow of expansion to ultimately provide for the maximum Senior High School enrollment which may be expected in Reading.
CHAPTER III Statement of Building Needs The Elementary Schools
I. The East District: This district, north of the railroad and east of Main Street, is in greatest need of proper housing for its school children at the present time. As has been previously stated, the only school house now in this district is the Union Street School housing 133 pupils in Grades I and II. There are 366 pupils in grades I through VI living in this area. This means that 253 of these children now have to attend school across Main Street and at some distance from their homes.
It has been recommended that both the Union Street School and . the Center School be abandoned. There are five rooms in the Center School and four rooms in the Union Street School. There are 113 pupils in grades V and VI who now attend the Highland School from this district. If all pupils now living in this district from grades I through VI were brought together it would make an elementary school of 366 pupils. It would also relieve the Highland School of 113 pupils so that the 98 pupils attending the Center School could be taken care of in their own district.
The immediate need then of this East District is a modern elementary school building to house the 366 pupils of grades I through VI now living in that area with sufficient additional accommodations to house the expected increase for at least ten years. This calls for a building of 14 rooms with such other essentials as a gymnasium, small auditorium, office, etc. A site centrally located for this district should be secured containing not less than two acres to provide the essential playground area for a school of this size.
116
II. The West District: At the present time there are two elementary school buildings in this section southwest of the railroad. The Prospect Street School, which is quite centrally located, now houses 172 pupils in grades I through IV. The little Chestnut Hill School on Hopkins Street houses only 45 pupils in grades I through IV. There are also about 146 pupils in grades V and VI living in this area at- tending the Highland School across the railroad tracks, and at a long distance from their homes. If, then, all of these elementary grade pupils were brought together with the 50 pupils who live across Main Street and south of the railroad, it would make a school of 413 pupils.
This situation suggests that the need of the West District will be met when it is found expedient to erect a second elementary school to meet the increasing enrollment. This building, also, should contain 14 rooms to care for the general situation until the enrollment is balanced in all three sections of the town. A site for this building containing at least two acres of land should be secured as soon as possible.
III. The Northwest District: This section of the city north of the railroad and west of Main Street now houses its elementary school pupils at the Center School, the Lowell Street School, and at the High- land School. All together there are 473 pupils in grades I through VI now living in this section. It is recommended that the Center School be abandoned as a school. The Lowell Street School should also be abandoned as soon as possible. To accomplish this, the Highland School should be remodelled or an addition built of about six rooms to fully serve this section of the town.
These suggestions would provide the Town of Reading with the equivalent of three 14 room buildings, or a total of 42 elementary school rooms. This, with the possible remaining two rooms at the Chestnut Hill School, will seat 1540 pupils. The estimated enrollment for these grades for the year 1940 is 1525 pupils. This means that the two elemen- tary school buildings suggested will be needed within the next ten years. Each building should so be planned that it can be increased in size with- out difficulty or unnecessary expense to care for future demands.
Future Small Primary Schools
As the elementary school enrollment increases, the erection of small primary schools, to house the first three grades in the outlying centers of population, will serve the needs of the town for many years.
The elementary school districts indicated on the several maps by half-mile circles do not include certain sections just outside the limits of the district. In these outlying sections there will be some of the younger children who should have access to a school nearer their homes. Therefore, just as soon as there are a sufficient number of such children to warrant the formation of grades I, II, and III as a primary school,
117
i
€
IN
G
0
1
.....
1
Z
2
North West District 82 Homes
Z
East District 47 Homes
T
.+ =* 1
West Distri
No. 4
Map Showing Location"
. New Homes Brected
2
April, 1927- April, 1930
South District 67 Homes
1.
AM
STORCH
a small building should be provided. The possibility of such future needs is indicated on map No. 5.
The Trend of Location in New Homes
A study of the trends in the building of new homes has been made to serve as an indication of the directions in which the popula- tion is growing and its bearing upon the problem of locating school buildings. For this purpose a map has been prepared, (see Map No. 4),
N
0
118
showing the location of all of the new homes built in the Town of Reading from April 1927 to April 1930.
That section south of the railroad, which we have designated as the West School District, contains the largest number of homes erected during the three years, a total of eighty-seven.
That section which we call the Northwest District has also shown considerable building activity with a total of eighty-two homes in the three years.
The section east of Main Street, or the East School District, does not show so great a building activity. Only forty-seven homes have been erected during the period studied. However, the zoning law permits multiple residences in this district and the 47 building permits may represent more than 47 families. It should be noted also that only eighteen new homes have been built north of Forest and Wakefield streets.
This map shows that the trend of building is mainly toward the south and the west at the present time. It also indicated ample oppor- tunity for future development toward the north. There is no marked indication that any immediate building activity will materially change the balance of school children living within the proposed school dis- tricts.
Suggested Future Elementary School Districts
Map No. 5 is intended to show the suggested future centers for elementary school districts. These circles have a radius of one-half mile which is the approximate standard for such schools. When it comes to the selection of sites for buildings, these centers should be located as nearly as possible. However, it is always better to sacrifice central location for adequacy of site.
Beyond these suggested districts, there is very little desirable land for building purposes. This is especially true on the east side of the town. As the population grows outside of these circles it may be- come advisable to establish small primary schools for the younger pupils. These also should so be located that they may be expanded into larger schools as the enrollment increases. This means that any school site selected for future development should contain at least two acres.
119
1
?
-
L
14
5.
y poroded.
.SON dou
12
44
r
-
1
I. YNN
₼
C
.
District
,
150M 4500/
WILM
9/20/
N
H
The Junior High School
The needs of the Junior High School are not serious at the present time. The greatest demand now is for the completion of the athletic field and playground area. This should be undertaken at once. As stated earlier in this report, the Junior High School is grow- ing rapidly and in a very few years will reach its maximum capacity. See Fig. No. 8, Page 113.) In less than ten years it will be necessary to provide additional housing for Junior High School pupils. There are
West,
120
three possible solutions for this problem. An addition could be built on the present building. A new Junior High School could be started on the north side of the town. The third solution could be worked out temporarily in connection with the problem of the Senior High School.
A study of map No. 6 will aid in the solution of this problem. The Junior High School appears to be very well located with respect to the present distribution of population in the town. The standard radius tor a junior high school is one mile and a half. This is indicated on the
7
Senior High School Radius
2
Miles
11/2 Miles
2
Junior High School Radius
7
2
Map No.6
· Junior High District
Bodies 11/2 mi. =
Semor High District
Radios 2 mi
1
...
121
map by a double line. It will be noted that this reaches from the southern boundary of the town to a point somewhat north of Forest Street. This district will undoubtedly contain the great mass of Junior High School pupils for many years. It gives us sufficient argument that there will be no need of a second junior high school in the north end.
Also on this map is drawn a heavy circle with a two mile radius taking the present Senior High School as a center. This standard district for a senior high school covers nearly the entire town, and proves that the present building is very centrally located as a perma- nent site. Therefore, it is recommended that the immediate solution of the future housing of the Junior High School pupils be considered in connection with the needs of the Senior High School.
The Senior High School
The earlier study of the growth of the Senior High School shows that the enrollment has now reached the capacity of the building and that many of the essentials of a modern high school program of studies are lacking.
Therefore, it is recommended that the present senior high school site be extended to Lowell Street, and that an addition be made to the present building to include the essential rooms to accommodate a total of from 700 to 1000 pupils, and also to include a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and an auditorium of sufficient size to meet the needs of both the school and the community.
Reading is in real need of a community center such as this High School addition would provide. There is no suitable large auditorium centrally located in the town for the holding of town meetings, for dramatics, for high grade concerts and lectures. This proposed audi- torium, in combination with a large and well equipped gymnasium and cafeteria, would provide a center for community games, banquets and social functions that would mean much to the town as well as to the school.
This project should be undertaken in time to relieve the rapidly growing enrollments in both the Junior and Senior High Schools. The recommended addition to the Senior High School, large enough to ac- commodate the expected future enrollment of that school, will be able to house the overflow of the Junior High School until such a time as the growth of both schools makes it expedient to build an addition on the Junior High School building.
Playgrounds
Every child should have ready access to a playground as well as to a school building. Healthful play out of doors and under right conditions is a fundamental part of our educational programs, and it is the inherent right of childhood.
122
This is a day of rapid transit. The number of children whose lives are sacrificed annually because they are forced to play upon the streets is appalling. No town can afford to ignore this problem.
The Present Situation
A beginning has been made toward the provision of play areas in Reading. The land adjoining the Junior High School has been set aside for a playground and athletic field. For the latter purpose more land than that now owned by the town will be necessary. This play- ground is greatly needed by the Junior High School now, and steps should be taken at once to complete this project. .
On the east side of the Town, between Salem and Charles Streets, is a tract of land owned by the town. This area is partially used as a playground and some equipment for the use of the children has been provided. There are possibilities for improvement of this land for com- munity recreation that should be undertaken. The central location of this playground suggests its development as a recreation center for the use of both children and adults.
Another splendid possibility of a large recreation center is found in the area known as "Birch Meadows." While this tract is very peculiar and irregular in form, it has good possibilities for development. This location is sufficiently near to the Senior High School to suggest that a portion of the land be used as an athletic field for this school. Other sections would lend themselves to various activities for general community recreation. The development of Birch Meadows is strongly recommended.
The only place available at the present time for the holding of athletic games is the Base Ball Park on Washington Street. This is now used by the High School for both practice and contests with other schools.
Future Playground Areas
With the development of the three playground areas just de- scribed, the town of Reading will be well provided with general recre- ation centers. Beyond this provision the only need will be in connec- tion with the proposed elementary school buildings. As elsewhere stated in this report, each elementary school should be located on a site of not less than two acres. The playground spaces should provide about 100 sq. ft. per pupil. Therefore, as new buildings are planned and sites are secured, attention should be given to the adequacy of the playground area.
The problem of the playground and the school should be worked out as a united educational procedure. The supervision of play should be a part of the school system. Opportunities for health and recrea- tional activities should be open to all and within reasonable distances
123
from the homes. Reading has a splendid opportunity to carry on the beginnings made in setting aside well located areas for this purpose. The next step is to improve and to use these playgrounds by providing equipment and supervision.
'CHAPTER IV
Summary and Recommendations
Until the Junior High School was built in 1926 and 1927, the Town of Reading had done practically nothing by way of building schools for over twenty years. This neglect is now forcing upon the town a cumulation of problems as has been shown in this report. The needs are many and the conditions are constantly becoming more scrious as time goes on. Therefore, it is recommended that a program of expenditures for school buildings and sites be undertaken on a 20 to 25 year basis. This will spread the burden of taxation over the years and will make it possible to carry out a forward-looking pro- cedure to meet the increasing needs of the public schools.
This study of present conditions makes it very difficult to deter- mine just what should be undertaken first. There is real need for new buildings in each of the three elementary school districts. My first reaction to this problem is that these districts should be cared for in the following order: (1) East District, (2) West District, (3) North- west or Highland District. However, it may prove to be expedient to change the order of the recommendations as other factors enter into the solution of the problem. The poor condition of the Lowell Street School, the financial policy of the town, and the changing conditions within the schools from year to year must be taken into consideration. To bring these matters definitely before the Committee the following projects are recommended in the order of the apparent needs :
Projects
1. Sites and Playgrounds: Looking forward to the future needs of the schools for sites and adequate play areas, steps should be taken to improve land already owned by the town and to secure necessary sites while prices are low and land is vacant. The following proposals are recommended :
A. Extend and complete the athletic field for the Junior High School.
B. Extend site of the Senior High School to Lowell Street.
C. Secure site for a new elementary school in the East District. The Poor Farm location is suggested. The site should consist of not less than two acres.
124
D. Secure site for a new elementary school in the Southwest or "West" District of at least two acres.
E. Secure and improve an athletic field for the Senior High School.
F. Provide adequate play area for the Highland School.
2. Elementary School for East District: Erect an elementary school of fourteen rooms for the East District. This will release the Center School and abandon the Union Street School. It will also make some additional relief for the Senior High School by moving the admin- istrative offices to the Center building.
3. Elementary School for West District: Erect an elementary school in the West District of fourteen rooms in place of the Prospect Street School. Then this valuable site can be sold.
4. Addition to Senior High School: Build an addition to the Senior High School to include a gymnasium and an auditorium. This will provide for the future growth of the Senior High School. It will provide housing for the overflow of the Junior High School for some years, and until an addition can be built on the present Junior High School. The auditorium should be planned to serve also as a civic center for the whole community.
5. Highland and Lowell Street Schools: Either remodel the Highland School or build a small addition of six rooms, and then aban- don and sell the Lowell Street School site. This will mean spending some money on the Lowell Street School to keep it in condition for a few years more.
It is estimated that on the basis of present costs an appropriation of from $35,000 to $40,000 per year for the period of twenty years will provide ample funds to carry to completion the entire program as recommended.
Commitment
I wish to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the willing and ready assistance of the superintendent of schools and his associates. This report is, herewith, submitted for the consideration of the School Committee of the Town of Reading, Massachusetts.
(Signed)
JESSE B. DAVIS, Consultant,
Boston University, School of Education, Boston, Mass.
125
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1930
To the Honorable, the School Committee of Reading, Massachusetts :
I submit herewith my eighteenth annual report and the thirty- eighth annual report of the Superintendent of the Reading Public Schools.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.