The New York herald., 1874-07-03
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Close of the First Haf-Yearly Session Of 1874
The Summer Vacation and Free
Picnics fer the Poor.

To-day will close the sessions or the pubic
schools OF the city Tor the first half OF the current
year. They VIII be reopened on the first Monday
in September after vacation OF a little more than
nine weeks, covering the nercest heats OF summer.
The term just closing has been one highly creditable
to the zeal and judcious fdenty of the teachers
and various school officers. and TO the diligence
and decorum OF the pupils, as IS witnessed py the
| recent examinations, which attest the general
high degree OF proficiency attained In the several
branches taught aud the commendabe propriety
OF department maintained IN the 232 schools under
the control of the Board of Education. From the
tabulated reports OF the schools in The oce OF the
City Superintendent 1t appears that the whole
number OF pupils named on the school registers
for the month OF May, 1874, was 104 ,3l9, ana the
average daily attendance during the same month
was 94,l7l, or about 95 per cent OF the entire
number registered. This was about 5000 better
than the attendance for May, 1873. The whole
number taught in the Public Schools in the year
1878 was 2l2,3l9. This shows
THE IMMENSE ARMY OF YOUNG
and impressible minds which come within the i'm
mediate influence Of this great engine OF popular
instruction, OF which New York is SO Justly proud
To support the expense OF this school system the
department. last year expended the sum OF
S3,47901l. The number OF teachers employed was
ASA, OF whom far the larger proportion were
females. Yet, large as has heretofore been the
number OF children in the public schools it is well
known that there are in the city thousands VINO
never enter scho0room, and 1t is hoped that by
the operation of the Compus sorry Education act
passed by the last Legislature these may be
brought into the publc schools and receive a
better education than they are now lmbiblng IN
the sire Is. II this should prove to be the effect
OF the new law, 1t Will make still more imperative
modation IN many districts, wnere the houses are
by lar TOO small for even the attendance OF the
past year. In her system OF public Schools New
FREE EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD
/ and youth within her limits No matter in what
social or financial circumstances boy or girl may
/ re the city opens the doors OF the scnoolhouse to
them without lee, provides them iuily with all
/ requisite books, implements and apparatus and
arords them every opportunity to acquire a liberal
education, equal to that obtainable only by the sons
academies, colleges and universities Of the
country. Our public schools are not, OF course,
without their classidcations as REGARDS wealth or
poverty. Those located in the more fashionable
nei ghborhoods have an attendance OF rupis who
are better dressed and. possibly, whose manners
aNis great great evener ana smoother Of these
adven titious Inequalities of social station. Those
VINO know the system best say that the most earn
est as well as brightest scholars are often to be
found in the very poor districts. BootOiacks ant
newspaper venders have their perceptive faculties
sharpehed D, the efforts they are obliged to maxi
value OF the education they seek in the schoo
4 rooms, sud their progress often outstrips that
(
, perience the necessity OF earnestness the pur
suit OF their studies, but rely ior their advance
ment IN s upon oo parents rS
tneir children to appear creditaby among thei
THE SONS OF THE DAY LABoRER
may sit in the same class as tnoss OF the landor
who owns the tenement in which they live Win
anything IN their dress or demeanor to call 10
unpleasant comparisons. After passing throug
the several grades of studies taught in the prmar
schools the pupils are entitled to certificates Q
pass through the graduated Classes step by ste
\ with reference to their proficiency IN the severa
branches. and on graduation are entitled to ad
mission into the College OF the City OF New YORK
On the average it requires from seven to egh
years OF school attendance before the pupll Cal
4; graduate In the grammar Departments. Onl
.. small proportion OF those VINO ente
BY ty0 vaTo1s IDDs' creu@stances. % Wne % the coura
Is sn aRsqa ET 1pess
college, it is also contrived to give in all It's severa
stages sucn practical instruction as viii be advan
assq5s & to toe pqp i tDs a. any pon tie FIT
!. teaching him ideas and the method to acquire
them rather than mere formulated starements o
, facts theories Is the basis OF the educatlona
course III The New York public schools These In
, stitutions in their several grades have sent int
this acive lie oil the metropolis large PROPORTION
OF It's leading citizens OF both sexes, and they dt
not disgrace their broad breasted alma mater
whose resources are ample 1or all her offspring.
r SPECIAL BRANCHES OF EDUCATION.
In addition to the branches OF instruction com
: monty provided for heretofore arrangements ar
In logress to give TO tuose VINO desire them tut
tion IN telegraphy, photography and reporting
bookkeeping, embroidery and needlewOrk, en-
crossing and otner special branches designed T.
1T the pupil for specific avocation. Among til
branches now taught are architectural and lfe
|, hand drawing and designing. 1t is contemplated
to add other specialties as they may be required
by the pupils in reference to new branches @
business developing IN the community.
, PROUD OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
, For many years the public school system or Nev
: York city has oeen just theme OF pride anon
, her intelligent and patriotic citizens They hav
never mad better ground for satisfaction IN 1t tina
now. 1t Is In its nature progressive and eastiC
adapted TO the wants Of great growing city ad
vaDclng in its educational requirements as well a
, in wealth and power. Its founders laid its wall
deep and wlde Their successors buildln
wisely the substantial structure, ana man
generations yet shall point with pride at the nOol
edince.
Grammar School No. IL.
The graduating class OF 1874 of Grammar Schoc
No. IL Cemale department) gave Q receptio
Yesterday afternoon. which was Attended by