The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-10-25
For the Massachusetts Spy.
WORCESTER SCHOOLS

!. The School Committee of Worcester have
the satisfaction of informing the inhabitants OF
the town, THAI, on Monday last. the Latin
School was onened, upon a system of instruc-
ton entirely new, and under circumstances
which encourage the hope, that it will hereaf-
ter assume high character, and prove worthy
OF the munidCence by which it is supported.
| Upon commencing the duties of their office,
| the Committee found this institution in low
condition. Instead Of a seminary for instruc-
ton in the higher branches of learning, they
found 1t only place of resort for children of
the h1tn'6teSt attninntents. In their opinion,
tnr town had, for many years, derived but
litte benefit from the monies appropriated TO
ITS maintenance; and they believed, that, un-
less 1t could be organized anew, and proceed
upon different principles, it ought 10 be given
up altogether. Having, however, neither the
power or the inclination 10 abandon it, thew
have made an effort, and they trust, a success
lui one, TO improve its condition, and to re-es-
;ablish ii in The confidence of the public. To
this end, they have laLoured to obviate the
difficulties, to which they consider its rapid
decline TO be fairly itnputahle. These diff
culties may all be reduced to two. The first
has resulted from the want of permanent
teacher The. limited appropriations 6f the
town have forced the Selcctmen into Temporal
~ cxpedents to procure instructors. They
have been generally obliged to employ men,
either OF incompetent capacity or of unsuita-
bic character, or those whose minds were too
much cngrosscd with other objects to feel any
considerable interest in :he youth committed
to their care. The Committee hatter them
selves, they have removed this difficulty by
the employment CT gentleman of reputation
as nd xuh
nently engaged, and wholly devoted to the
important duties of his station.
The other difficulty arises from the great
irregularity of the attendance of scholars; to
avoid which, the Committee have adopted
the following regulations, viz.
No pupil is to be admitted into the Latin
school for less term than one quarter; dur
ing which, his punctual, regular attendance
Will be Indispensable Provided, however,
that the pupils from any School District, er-
cePt NE Centre, having made the necessary
attainments, may be admitted Immediately
alter the close Of the winter schools in said
districts, for term not less than four weeks.
The standing of scholars, necessary for ad-
mission, will he determined by the Committee
upon examination, and will have reference,
from time 10 time, 20 the comparative num-
Der in said school. No one, it is presumed,
will hesitate to admit the propriety and ne
cessity OF these arrangements, or refuse his aid
IN giving complete effect TO the labours Of the
Committee. They desire TO take away all
occasion for the complaint, that the inhabi-
tants OF Worcester are obliged 10 send their
children abroad for education, preparatory to
admission into the University, because their
own Latin school is unsuitable for this pur-
pose. Nothing is wanting but competent sup
port, and faithful superintendent, to give it
reputation equal with that OF our Academic
! Institutions. Let the experiment they are
making be fairly tested. Il is an important
one, both TO the town and the Common
ueaiih.
1t may prore to the satisfaction of all. that
free schools, well conducted, are better than
incorporated schools, indiiferently patronized !;
and that the best policy of the Legislature IS
to encourage the former, and forbear further
TO multiply the latter.
SAMUEL M. BURNSIDE,
Per order Of The School Committee.