The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-07-19
THE ELkTON ACADEMY.

the plan of affording equal educational
advantages to the youth of both sexes
The lower room was occupied by the male
department under the care of Mr.. G. A..
Blake, A. b., and the upper room was furn-
ished and occupied by the female depart
ment under the more immediate care of
the Principal. A class room was occupied
by Mrs. c. NJ. Alexander for the instruc-
ton of junior scholars. The whole was
under the supervision and control of
the Principal, and the arrangement was
complete for instruction in the common
and higher English branches and in such
Mathematics and languages as are ne
cessary to prepare for college. The play
grounds were divided for the separate use
of the male and female scholars. These
were associated in the religious exercises
at the opening of the school each morning
and in reciting when they could be CLASH
fed. The experiment of one years opera
ton has convinced us that the co-education
of the sexes on this plan, is advantageous
to both in regard to both conduct and
studies, while it costs only about half
what would be expended on separate
schools for boys and girls.
Besides admitting girls, the tnition fees
were graded and reduced from $40 and $50
per year, to $o4, $32, $40 and $50, accord
ing to studies. These changes and reduc-
tions were made in order that the advant-
ages of the school might be more generally
enjoyed.
The whole number which entered during
the year just closed, was S4,-33 males
and 81 females. The average attendance
was 81 Nineteen IA boys and girls
were classical scholars, of whom four are
sufficiently advanced for the Freshman
class at college. Three examinations and
two exhibitions have been held during the
year. The latter were well attended, but
the fermer were sadly neglected. We
think the progress made by most of our
pupils will compare well with that made
at good boarding schools, while the saving
to the community has been very large.
We regret to report that the average at
tendance was not sufficiently large to make
it financially profitable to the Principal
There were room and teachers provided
for much larger attendance. The defec-
tive attendance in the female department.,
| StciuS W iuuICdtC tHo
right of females to good education, las
not ceased to be questioned. Some parents
do not seem to feel that good education
is the best fortune for children, and that a
little retrenchment in supertiuous dress
would enable them to secure the boon for
their daughters.
A vicious tendency to multiply small
select schools is also hindrance to a fuller
attendance and to complete success in our
Academy, since the local patronage on
which it depends is thus divided and di-
verified. These statements are made that
those interested in maintaining good
high school in Elkton may know its condi-
ton, difficulties, prospects and wants, and
be thus prepared to act as circumstances
require. Having entered this field of edu-
cational labor with 4 purpose of striving
to elevate this institution and to render it
more efficient to dispel ignorance and to
promote learning, we earnestly solicit that
degree of interested attention and cooper
alton which is essential to success.
We regard the past as only beginning
and we can be satisfied with it only as a
start in the pursuit of greater and better
things. We trust that our citizens SYM
pathize with this view and that they abhor
a stereotyped, low condition of education
in contrast with progress and improve
ment. They will readily pardon one who
has spent IS years of his best days in con-
Quoting classical academies for speaking
and writing as if he knew, from observa-
ton and experience, what such an institu-
ton needs to make it permanently an Or
nament and blessing to community
This Academy is a popular institution, in
the sense that it belongs to the people Of
Elkton and vicinity on whom it also de-
ponds for its continued existence and
means Of improvement; theirs is the honor
OF hishonor of its condition, and theirs is
the advantage or loss of its success or fail
ure. The Trustees manage it for the
people, but the former haze nothing but
debt, and can do nothing but as the COM
munity will furnish the means. 1t is the
child of the people and its parents must
not leave it out in the cold like a found
ling, but cherish it in their bosoms, furn-
ishing food and raiment until it grows
under their love and fostering care to be-
come an honor and a blessing to them and
to posterity. We have incidentally learned
that some among us do not even know
that the Academy is thus nearly related
to them and so helplessly dependent upon
them. They have only thought that it
must be somebody's child'' whose parents
ought to look after it and care for it.
Hence our zeal and earnestness in endeav-
oring to bring this matter distinctly before
them for due consideration and appropri-
ate action.
Think and speak much about it, regard
it and pray for it as next to the greatest
interest of the community; visit it often
and attend its examinations; endeavor to
send i'll scholars, and even pay for some
who are worthy and cannot pay fer them
selves; aid and encourage the study of
| regular and punctual attendance; ascer-
tain the wants Of tho school and zealous!y
cooperate with the Trustees in ways and
means of furnishing what may be needed
for progress and success. These are some
of the more obvious ways in which friends
and helpers may encourage and sustain
the Academy.
One absolute condition of success is,
that an academy in some acdy employ and
sustain q sufficient number If competent
teachers to teach Thoroughly all Ms dranckss
aohich should be taught an such an institution.
Less than three instructors could not pos
sibly do this in our school, when the wants
of the community requile that not only
common and higher English branches be
taught, but also mathematics and languages
for the Freshman or Sophomore class at
college.
The number Of branches and the labor
of instruction have greatly increased in
modern academies Hence more and bet
ter qualified teachers must be employed
than formerly, and they must be employed
at higher salaries also, for the plain and
sufficient reason, that the increased cost of
living has necessarily increased the wages
of men in all emp.oyments.
The problem proposed for solution is:
Hou can Elkton Academy sustain the teach-
ers needed to gi0e thorough instruction in all
| these iraaches'
This may be done by partial endonnsnt
of the teachers salaries, by establishing
Scholarships, by aiding talented but needy
scholars, by iqnidating the debt of tie in
stitution, and by greatly increasing the ut
tendance of scholars from the homo field
and from abroad.
For a fuller statement of these methods,
| must refer the reader TO an article in our
other town paper of this date.
AS many persons may not understand
how liquidating the debt would help to sus-
tain the teachers, Twill add statement on
that subject,