The Portland daily press., 1864-07-25
School Examinations.


vided among the committee so that four or
five of them visited each school.
The Congress Street School occupies the
second floor Of the engine building, near the
Eastern Cemetery. This school has been re-
duced in numbers by changing the boundary
line of the District, setting OFF portion to
the Fourth Grammar School District. The
district now extends from India street TO the
eastern shore, the school room being at the
western extremity. Mr.. George T. Taylor
has been the Principal OF this school for thir-
teen years, during which time 1t has passed
/ through many changes AIr. I. has the repu-
tation OF being one OF the mostfaithfuland thor
ough teachers in the city, aud has had associ-
ated with him assistants of marked ability and
Industry, Notwithstanding which the school
has not maintained the standard of former
years. Among the causes are Withdrawing
from the school many of the advanced schol-
airs by the new districting in one direction, aud
a large number Withdrawing in another direc-
ton and attending private schools, and an un-
usual irregularity on the part Of those regis
tered. Sixteen hundred absences were re-
ported during the last term of eighteen weeks,
! In a school OF LAG, which accounts for the fact
/ that but eight are sent 10 the High Schoo! for
examination. The remedy for this unfortu-
nate state Of things, in our judgement, is TO
establish boys and girls Grammar School
on Mubjoy Ill., united in one, which is evil
IDENTIFY the true system. This school could oc-
cupy the new ward room until such time as
suitable building can be erected. The Gram
mar School buildings on Congress street. the
engine removed to Mupjoy Hill, could be so
arranged as to furnish ample room for the diff
ferent schools in that locality.
The assistants at this school are Miss Ellen
NJ. Smith and Miss Sarah J. Nutting. The
number OF scholars registered since the di-
vision of the district, l46-aversge attendance,
lo6-present at examination, 94-sent up for
examination for admittance 10 the High
School, s.
Park Street School is in the western Sec
OF the city, On Park, near Congress street,
Notwithstanding the very great loss expert
enced in the death OF Mr. Pickering, the for III
err standard of this school has been fully main
tanned. This school has far out-grown its ac-
commodations, there being some thirty schol-
airs more than there are seats in the school
house. The remedy proposed is to crowd to-
wards the hub of school accommodation, uu-
til every seat in this new and capacious build
ing is occupied.
Mr.. E. Wentworth, the Principal of this
school, was for nearly ten years Principal of
the intermediate School for Boys, where be
had been so faithful and successful, that he
was at once selected as successor to the late
Mr.. Pickering, and the examination of the
school sustains the wisdom of the selection
The number OF scholars registered, 213-aver-
age attendance, l60-sent up for examination
for admittance TO the High School, "a. The
assistant teachers are Miss Eliza Munger, Miss
Harriet A. Dennison and Miss Fanny Prindle.
The CentersStreet School is located on Gen.
ter, near Spring street, and takes ia the south
ern section OF the center of the city. This
school has been for three years under the d.
rection Of Mr.. Martin L. Stevens, who, we
learn, has given very general satisfaction
His school has been reduced in numbers, II
not in standard, by the recent change in the
line OF the district, but no labor has been spar
ed by Mr. s. TO secure regular attendance aud
elevate the standard of the school. The num-
Der OF scholars registered, l35-ayerage at
tendance, 103-sent up for examination for
admittanee to the High School, Ii. The as
sistants are Miss Harriet T. Larrabee and Miss
Mary L. Hitchcock.
The Fourth Grammar School is in the new
building on Cumberland street, occupying
one-haf of the third story. This Is a model
school room, capable of seating 200 boys. 1t
is light, well ventilated and all It's arrange
ments are on the most approved plan. Nj.
Joseph w. Symonds, graduate of Bowdoin,
and an excellent teacher, is the Principal OF
this school. Mr.. S. has been teaching about
two years in the city, and 1t is no common ex-
hibilion Of the confidence of the committee In
his ability, in ais being placed in this impor-
tant position. The whole number of scholars
registered, $50 average attendance, I37-
present at examination, 125-sent up for ex-
animation for the High School, 80. The assis-
tanis are Miss Augusta Hale, Miss Henrietta
L. Hay and Miss Flora Coolidge.
Gymnastic exercises, TO greater or less
extent, have been introduced into all the boys
grammar schools. Mr.. Taylor, Congress
street, has introduced some very pleasant aud
healthful exercises, of which the committee
were favored with several examples. Mr..
Wentworth, Park street, we are informed.
gave an exercise in this important branch OF
science, which was highly spoken OF by the
committee and visitors. Fifteen or twenty
minutes in each day could not be spent more
probably than in the practice of gymnastic
exercises. Singing is also an important ex-
ercise, which, under the direction of Mr. Gar
diner, is made interesting and profitable.
Miss Chamberlain is principal of the Center
Grammar School for Girls, instead Of the Cen
Ter Street Grammar School as stated. This
school occupies portion of the third story of
the new building. Miss Emily w. Dana is as
sistant teacher in the Willis school,
The examination OF the Primary Schools
takes place on Thursday, and of the Interme-
date School for Boys on Friday. The vaca-
ton of each school begins at the close OF lis
examination, and will be for The High and
Grammar Schools six weeks, and for the Pri-
/ mary Schools five weeks.
GRAND GALA.-To morrow, ii the weather
/ is pleasant, the Portland Burns Association
hold their first annual picnic. They will 90 10
/ Little Chebeague Island, where they will pro-
duce the Highland games and all other Scot