The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-06-02
The State Normal School.

The State Normal School at MankatO
the building represented by above cut
has been in successful operation thirteen
years, and now ranks as one of the best
schools of the kind in the Northwest
Since its opening nearly or quite 2,OCC
students have been enrolled in its de.
partments, and the graduates number
22S. The year just closed has been the
most prosperous in its history. The
beautiful catalogue for the years 1881 S2
just published, shows an enrolment OF
1874, being an increase of lG5 in tive
years.
THE LOCATION.
The building stands on a natural ter.
race, above the main portion of the city,
and commands magnificent view W
and down the valley for many miles
In front, and about a mile distant the
lofty and wooded bluffs on the opposite
side of the valley somewhat resembles
the palisades on the Hudson river, as
seen from the east. The site of the
city and the entire adjacent country was
originally covered with heavy growth
OF forest trees, and the profusion of ma.
tive trees still remaining, and the equal
profusion of bluffs, valleys and ravines
adjacent to the city, afford some of the
most picturesque scenery to he found in
the West. The drainage being perfect,
the city is one of the most healthful in
the healthful State of Minnesota. No
better location for great State school
could BIZ found.
THE BUILDING.
The school building, built of brick
and trimmed with gray stone, is spa
cious, well arranged in the interior, and
tastefully finished. The three stories
between the basement and the ma asartl
roof afford ample room for the various
departments. New hot-air furnaces in
the basement furnish the necessary heat
to all parts, and in the fourth or attic
story is yet unfinished space sufficient
for the construction of rooms for mu-
scum, and 1t is expected these will soon
be fitted up for the purpose.
The chief purpose Of the school is
special instruction in the science and
art of teaching; but, as in nearly all
other Normal schools of the country, a
thorough system of academic instruc-
ton is at once the basis, and to some
extent the medium of professional train.
ing. The school consists of two depart
ments, the Normal and Modal depart
ment, or school of practice. In the
Normal department there are two
courses of study, one of three years,
called the Elementary course, and one
four years, known as the Advanced
course. Tuition il free to all students
in these courses who sign pledge to
teach in the public schools of the State
tor two years after leaving the school.
PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT..
For the benefit of those pupils who
come unprepared to enter the lowest
class in the Normal department, pre-
paratory class is organized at the begin
ming Of each school year. The studies
of this class cover one year and are de-
signed to be thorough preparation for
the first year in the Normal. meeting the
needs of large number OF young peo-
pie whose educational advantages at
home have been necessarily limited. A
small tuition fee is required from each
preparatory pupil.
MODEL SCHOOL.
The Model school, or school of prac
tice, consists of three grades, Primary,