Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-12-04
NO. L.
SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. 4.

In my last communication l refer
red to the character and status OF
the Ward Schools of our city. Inow
propose to speak of that department
of the schools sometimes called the
Grammar School and sometimes the
High School. 1t is purely neither
the one nor the other, but may very
properly be designated as a semi
high school. as it partakes of the
nature of both to some extent, but is
more nearer a high school than any
thing else, in which all the branches
are taught that are usually included
in the curriculum of high school.
But in its present form and condition
it is encountered with a grade that
does not belong to it as such. Here
lies defect in the present existing
relation between the high and ward
schools-a defect for which a mis-.
taken economy and a fear oftaxation
are responsible rather than an un-
willingness on the part OF the school
officers to remedy the same.
1t is true that the schools OF our
city have been in as good a condi-
ton as possible under the circum-
stance. Good work has been done
at moderate expense in proportion
to the work, but there is still room
for Improvement, and one decided
Improvement would be to remedy
the defect above alluded to, namely,
to modify the now existing relations
between the ward schools and high
school.
The number of pupils is constantly
increasing as the population of the
city increases; hence the classes in
the several ward schools become pro.
portionally larger. Some may drop
out before they reach the principals
room, yet as he has two grades, the
room generally (at least in some of
wards,) becomes too much crowded
for the comfort of the pupils, and
thorough or successful work on the
part of the teacher. Besides when
any of the "a classes, in their ex.
animation for promotion to the high
school, fail, as some always do, and
are thus compelled to remain another
year, it helps to swell the number of
the incoming class, and clogs the
machinery of the work still more.
And again, all the ward schools
are feeders for the high school, and
the promoted pupils are every year
numerically in excess of the seating
capacity afforded by the room which
they are to occupy. The only rem
edy now for this is the undue pro-
motion of some of them to higher
grade, and from this grade others
again to the next in some cases.
This had to be done every year for
the last six years. This may be well
enough as to some whose capacity
and ambition are equal to the task.
But regard it as bad policy, for the
following reasons First, it engen-
ders unpleasant feeling, and some
times an inimical spirit among those
who are disappointed, and these feel.
ings are sometimes shared by their
parents. On every occasion when
such a promotion was expected,
the Superintendent was appealed,
to by fond parents or their friends
to include their children in the num-
Der of the favored ones. Secondly,
it entails extra labor upon the teach
er who has to class these pupils with
higher grade. Thirdly, the pupils
themselves lose an important link in
the chain of MISUNDERSTANDING
which in some cases, is more or less
drawback through their entire
future course.
To propose remedy for this for
midable inconvenience, will be the
subject of my next article.
VIM. GERHARDT.