Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-12-15
GRADED SCHOOLS

49, 0<@H -. ~ ~t<tf>~s ~ $50
report We are indebted to Mr.. Barnes,
the efficient and popular superinten-
dant Of Public Schools in that city:
EARLY In the fall Of 'si. the
friends Of education. in this city. be-
ean 70 discuss the subject Of the In
troduetion Of Graded Schools. Pub
lie meetings. Cat 6rst attended by few,
but Increasing in the number attend
ing. as they increased 10 frequency
were called for the purpose Of eliei-
ting fscts. on which to base some reas-
enable conclusions. with regard to the
advantages and disadvantages OF the
two systems. The condition Of the
then existing schools. and the amount
OF money expended therein for tuition.
were accurately ascertained. and CON-
pared with CORRESPONDING items in The
reports Of those places that had adop-
ted the system Of graded schools
From this comparison the following
conclusions. (which we have, seen no
reason to change from onr subsequent
experience were drawn:
/. That the system. known Us the
system Of "(;raded Free Schools"
was better than the old district Sys-
tenn" or than the private schools.
known as Select Schools, and High
Schools. as conducted in years past.
and likely to be conducted for years to
come.
III. That it is cheaper.
These conclusions were founded on
these facts:
ist. That wherever this system was
adopted. il secured. by throwing a
large number Of pupils into one dis
trict, and into one building. a school
house more spacious more rligibly
situated, and better constructed
throughout with reference 10 the CON-
fort. health. and morals Of the pupils.
End. That II secured a more regu-
lar attendance Of the pupils.
Sd. Better discipline, because more
independent
9th. Better classification. thus ena-
bling each teacher 10 instruct larger
number Of pupils.
9th. Better teachers; because by
reducing the number Of teachers re-
CURED. their compensation could be
enhanced; and,
6th.s consequence Of all these,
better Instruction.
II was ascertained that to educate
the GOO or 700 pupils then attending
school in this city, cost over $4,000
per annum. making the average price
Of tuition Ia or l5 dollars: while at
the same time. better instruction was
received in the graded schools Of Gin
cinnati at an average cost OF 81. 10
pcr annum; in the schools Of Phila-
delphia at S6.49; in the schools Of
Baltimore at 800: in the schools Of
Cleveland at $3.50 In. the graded
schools Of Columbus at 81. 20; and in
no place where these schools had been
introduced. so far as could be ascer-
tanned. had the average cost OF tuition
per annum exceeded si4.5 while
generally il fell FAR below that amount.
In view Of these facts. it was deter.
mined TO make the experiment, and
early in December. 1851. the City
Council appointed Board Of Educa-
ton. consisting Of three members,
(which they afterwards increased 10
five. making. at the same time. the
superintendent. &c o6feio member Of
the board. and made liberal provis-
ion to meet the expenses OF the schools.
which went into operation on the Sec
ond Monday Of February, 1859.
The system adopted is essentially
the same as that Of Cincinnati. Cleve-
land. Philadelphia, &C., with which
you arc familiar. The schools are d.
vided into four Representations
~. Secondary, Grammar. and High
School We have at present seven
Primary Schools, three Secondary,
two Grammar Schools. and one cen
trail High School. The number in
actual attendance in these depart
ments severally, during the last quar-
ter, was 500, 222, l66, and ~, ma
king the whole number in actual at
tendance 1914. The whole number
entered during the past quarter. was
1895. and the average daily attend
ance 1893.
The schools have fully met erpecta-
ton both as to erceilenee and cheap
ness. My own experience is, that du-
ring the whole ten years that | taught
select school, before engaging in
these. / was never able to secure as
regular attendance as good discipline,
and as good resolutions as l have
within the last year. The average
cost Of tuition. Exclusive Of repairs to
buildings, during the FIRST six months,
was Sc. so. or at the rate Of $500 pei
annum; during the last SIX months o
the year it will be little more, proba.
bly, the whole aveaage cose Of tutor
will be Sc per annum.
Respectfully, G. BARNES
The citizens if Columbus, Barthol
cmew county. organized system o
graded schools about year ago, un
der the provisions Of the SD cectiol
of the school law. The following let
ter to Prof. LARRADEE, viii show tn
success of the system:
COLUMBUS, January 0. 1858.
PRoF. LARRABEE-Dear .Sir:-Th
graded school system is working yer,
well among US. Opposition is ceas
ing; all are beginning to discover it
value. Order snd system have bee
introduced into our schools, with III
entire appreciation of the youth an