Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-04-05

RnhIic Schools.

We have just received the report of Mr..
Leon Trousdale, state Superintendent of
Public Schools, for the scholastic year end
ing Aug. 81, 1878. We hope to present in
future issues a general view of the state of
education throughout the State as repre-
scented in this report; at present We confine
ourselves to the report of Prof. j. c. Brooks,
superintendent on the graded public schools
of GAINESVILLE
In reference to the "public graded schools
of the city of GAINESVILLE, l will say that these
schools were established by the Board of
Mayor and Aldermen several years since,
but no effort was made to grade them until
the session of lS77-7S. During the spring and
summer of 1877, 1t became apparent to the
School Board that to make the schools sue
cessful and to perpetuate the same, il would
be necessary not only to conduct them upon
the graded system, but to make them OF
such a character that they would be patron
lied alike by rich and poor. In other words,
that the schools must be inferior to none, to
the end that they might meet the intention
and purpose of the public schools of the day,
which is not to keep up pauper institutions,
only to be patronized by those who are una
BILE to pay tuition, but by n united effort to
have schools so good that they will be eager
~ sought by all classes. In August, 1877,
was elected Superintendent of the CONSOLE
dated schools of the city of GAINESVILLE and
the Twelfth District of Montgomery county.
/ immediately proceeded to grade the
schools, starting with eight grades, intend
ing to add the three high schools years as
the schools should grow. We have already
added the first year of the high school, MAX
ing at Present nine years. After the present
session the course will consist of ten grades,
divided as follows: Two primary, two inter-
mediate, three grammar and three high
school years. Our schools are now all full,
and are being attended by the children of
our best people. The schools are upon
firm basis, with few oppOSers and a great
many friends. Our accommodations in the
way of houses is very poor, but we now have
nearly completed two magnificent brick
buildings, which will accommodate the en-
tire city. The building for its white children
is n beautiful structure three stories high,
finest building site in the place. 1t has been
very Justly named for Mr.. A. Howell, q MEM
Der of the School Board, and a gentleman
who has been indeiatigable in his labors for
the public school interests. The other
building (fOr the colored pupils) Is two sto-
ries high, with basement eight feet
ceiling, well lighted and ventilated, which
can be used as a recitation room, II will be
finished in good style, and will be in every
respect a first class building. We had en-
Ored teachers, the salaries ranging from
fifty TO sixty dollars per month. The Super
intendent is paid an annual salary of 81 900.
Our enrolment in the white schools was
S5o, in the colored schools 80; total enroll
ment, 6Q5. The enrOllmentS for the present
year will be much larger, reaching fully
1000. The success OF our schools SO far may
he partially attributed to the fact that the
teachers have always been promptly paid.
The schools are now moving on smoothly,
Teachers, pupils and patrons alike appear
deeply interested in the success of the sys-
tenn, and are working with view to that
end. Pupils undergo monthly written
aminationS and are only promoted from one
grade TO another upon the attainment of 20
per cent.-in written examination of the
studies of their respective grades,