Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1858-12-30
Milwaukee Schools.

@ Nasty 'ioiU' I"S' week, 10
a number Of the Milwaukee schools and
for such as take an interest in the pro.
gress Of educational matters, we note a
few things.
The terms ofthe several schools in the
city closed last week, and in some of
them, especially the Seventh Ward HIGH
School, under the charge of Mr.. McKind-
ley, as Principal, the occasion was made
one Of much public attention. This
school has now been in operation about
ten months, and is one Of the best con.
Quoted in the city. The building is one
of the noblest public school edifces in
the State, with, perhaps the exception
of the Second Ward school BUILDING.
which is of the same size, and construc-
ted on the same plan. All its arrange
mentS, turnishments and appointments
are complete throughout. This and the
second ward editice, are noble speci-
mems Of the liberslity and taste of the
city.
The examinations in the several de-
partments Of study, accompanied with
defamation, composition, music, &c. in
the Seventh Ward High School, were
attended by large concourse of citi-
zens on Wednesday and Thursday.
1t was pleasing to note the presence
Of many ofthe influential men of the city,
representing the various professions
and business avocations. Among the
distinguished clergymen present on
Thursday, was Bishop Henni, of St.
Johns Cathedral. The class of studies
pursued in this school, is probably ofnot
so high a grade as some other public
schools Of the West; but when it is con-
sidered that the school has only been
organized some ten months, the adyan-
ced condition Of the classes is certainly
highly creditable. The general demea-
nor and department of the scholars in
this school, are probably not surpassed
by any other school, east or west.
On the evening ofThursda y, the Prin.
cipal gayea splendid supper to the schol-
airs of the High School department at
the Newhall House, over one hundred
members of the school, together with
some twenty or more invited guests, sat
down to the tables, which, it is unnec-
essary to say, were most elegantly fur
nished. The occasion was enliyened by
a good band of music, and intellectual
entertainment afforded by number of
appropriate speeches. This is probably
the first instance in the State, or per-
haps IN the west, where such munif-
cent entertainment and on SO extensive
scale, has been provided for public
school.
The Second Ward School, under the charge
ofProf Larkin, as Principal, rejoices in a school
edifce fally equal to the Seventh Ward house
No expense has apparently bean spared to rem
der it complete, convenient and attractive. As
only few months have tranSpired since the
completion of the edifee, and the organization
of the school, it presents less of system and or.
DER than some others.
The First Ward SC hosl, of which Mr.. Mark
ham is Principal, and the Fourth Ward, Mr..
Davis, Principal both have large school cdfces,
but not constructed on the plan of the improved
modern school houses. These schools do not
appear to be thoroughly classified which is prob
ably more the fault Of school officers than teach
erS.
Milwaukee has also q school called Female
College; the editice ID spacious one; the rooms
are finely furnished; the fixtures and equip
ments convenient and attractive. Ths number
OF female students is about fifty. In passing
the different departments OF the building, the
visitor is in danger of forgetting it is college.
The Juvenile aspect of the majority of the learn
srs, and thu range of studies pursued, hardly
correspond with the ideas of most people of a
college. There is public school on the same
block on which the massive structure Of the Fe-
male College stands, where more thorough cd :
ucation can be had: Some people, however,
are extremely fastidious they would, on no ac-
count, allow their daughters to attend public
school; the name has not the air of wealth and
aristocrAcy; besides they shrink from cOntamina a.
ton with the common people. They, therefore
prefer some other more pretsntious Institution,
although it promise less intellectual develop
ment.
Much has been done during the past two years
by the city of Milwaukee, to give new impulse
to the public schools the standard of education
in previous years has been comparatively low
hence large number of select and private ch'ls
have sprung up to supply the apparentld efcien-
ey. The corporate body under which the schools
are organized is defective in its plan of organi-
ration; being too large, unwieldy, and wanting
in concentration of power The system, to be
rendered effective, needs thoroughly educated
and active City Superintendent. An officer of
this sort is indispensable to make the Milwau-
kee schools as efficient as those of Chicago,
Cleveland, Cinsinnatti, &c.
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Common Council Proceedings.