National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-11-15
HISTORY OF TIE mon SCHOOL.
How It Come TO flo Founded and How
1t Got its Growth.


This being period in which schools,
their management. and managers are un-
usually prominent before the Washington
people, u brief sketch of the origin and
early history of tho high school may in
terest its patrons.
In 1868 there were introduced into the
female grammar school of tho second
division then termed distrlct) which
school was under the charge Of Miss
Georgia Lane, of Massachusetts,, certain
studies properly belonging to o high
school course, including algebra, geome-
try, general history, and English litera-
ture. At tho same time physics and
physical geography which had nominally
belonged to tho grammar school course,
but to which comparatively little atten-
ton had been paid, received new inn
potus and took rank with the studies just
introduced.
At this period tho board oftrustees was
divided into what were termed subboards,
each being in special charge of ono dis
trict and largely independent of tho gem
eral board in tho management thereof.
Mr.. George +. Mcclellan, now resident
Of Los Angeles, CAL, was prominent
member OF the subboard of tho second
division, and to him the principal of tho
girls grammar school expressed desire
that these studies. for which sho had an
especial fondness, should DO attemp tcd,
promising If the consent of the subboard
to this innovation were obtained that tho
ordinary studies should still receive q
reasonable and fair amount of attonti on.
To satisfy the moro conservative menu
bcrs of the subboard that they had no
In 0nnn1aiu nf naulttrapra In thfu
spcct, Mr.. Mcclellan advocated in the gen.
eral board and succeeded in introducing
into the grammar school of the city sys-
tom of grammar and arithmetic matches
yearly, the plan being that each teacher of
that grade should select six ofthemost pro-
ficient pupils In grammar, and tho same
number in arithmetic for competitive
examination In the two studies. The
prize, O gold medal for each. was awarded,
first, TO the school whose six pupils OBJ
tanned the highest average, and, secondly.
to the individual of that school fortu-
nate enough to head the list. As proof
that the introduction Of the higher
studies was not allowed to initiate
against the so-called common bran ches,"
it may be mentioned that during the four
years in which these contests wero con-
tinued tho second district grammar
school, still in charge of Miss Lane,
received four medals for arithmetic and
two for grammar, or six of the
eight medals awarded by the city. rhe
course of high school study continued for
several years to DO peculiar feature of
the second district school, although other
subboards from time to time adopted it to
some extent. In 1876. however, the ad-
visibility of uniting into ono school the
most advanced pupils from each of the
female grammar schools was advocated in
the general board by Mr.. John Randolph,
who had succeeded Mr.. Mcclellan in the
second district, and who manifested tho
same interest in the higher course as had
been shown by his predecessor. After
due elaboration IL was decided that Mr..
Randolph's plan should be carried out;
that the new school thus organized should
be limited to forty-five pupils, and should
be located for the time being in the hall
of tho Seaton school building; that Miss
Georgia Lane should be appointed
principal at q salary of $1,000 yearly.
1t was also voted that the school
should begin its existence under tho name
of advanced grammar school for girls,
which name was subsequently changed
to that of girls high school, 1t may be
mentioned that tho attitude of the present
superintendent toward this project, If not
absolutely unfriendly, was that of in
difference. 1t was not until the school
became not only fixed fact, but marked
success, that he espoused its cause. Let
honor, therefore, be given where it is due,
and let the future historian of the WASH
in otnn-hi-i- ---hr al -aaa- it------->-t tn
George L. Mcclellan and John hanuoIpnJ
its legitimate founders.
So rapidly did tho girls high schooW
IL, hn him and a rift "
that from beginning in 1876 of forty
five pupils, and years course of study,
and one teacher, it reached, in 1882, q
maximum of nearly two hundred pupils,
five teachers, and three years ,carricu-
lum.
Several months after the establishment
of the girls school o corresponding one
for boys was founded, under the principal
ship of Mr.. Edward Paul, and largely
through tho instrumontality of Gen.
Charles Hovey, who was anxious that the
boys of our city should be offered equal
facilities for higher education to those at
tho disposal of the girls. Tho boys
school was located fora time in the gram
mar school room of the first division,
Franklin building. This school also
prospered, and tho two although in sep
arate localities, worked harmoniously
together, friendly rivalry inspiring
teachers and pupils in each to do their
best.
The necessity for better school accom-
modationS began to be discussed, the final
result of which was the present high
school building. In September, 1882, the
two schools were united and placed in
charge Of Mr.. Paul, the connection of the
principal of tho girls high school there
with terminating with tho consolidation.
.