Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-02
SUCCESS OF NIGHT SCHOOLS.
Four Thousand Pupils During the Past
Year.
THE SCHOOLS TO BE REoPENED THIS MONTH AND
INCREASED ATTENDANCE EXPECrED-How THEY
ARE MANAGED AND GRADED.

1t is estimated that about 1000 persons
availed themselves Of the advantages Of the
night schools during the past year. These
schools, which are under the management Of
the board Of public school trustees, will be re-
opened on the 18th of the present month, and
it is expected that the attendance will show q
marked increase. Rooms in the public school
buildings are occupied, and the teachers are
appointed from the corps Of public school
teachers. The funds needed for carrying on
the night schools are appropriated by Congress
In the same way as provision is made for the
regular day schools. This will be the third
year that the night schools have been in opera
ton. At first they were regarded as an expert
ment and only four schools were opened. 1t
was soon found, however, that the attendance
required larger number of schools than the
appropriation Of 800 warranted. Last year
THE APPROPRIATION WAS INCREASED
to $1,000, and the number Of schools in opera
ton was increased to twelve. Each school has
principal and three teachers. The scholars
are graded into elementary classes and nine
advanced classes. The grade of instruction
has not gone beyond that of the sixth grade in
the regular school course, but this year it is
proposed to advance the grade in some of the
schools to that of the eighth. 1t is under con-
sideration to add to the course of study that of
mcCldulCfd urdWluS, DuL " IL uOt AS YET QeH-
nitely decided. The schools will be reopened
in the same building where they were held last
year. although to a certain extent the location
is determined by the demand in the several
localities. Night schools will be held this year
IN the Franklin, Henry, Wallach, Jefferson,
Curtis, and j. f. Cook buildings. There will
also be schools in four or five other buildings,
and probably these will be in the same places
where they were located last year. The teach
ers have not as yet been selected, but it is
probable that the same teachers will be selected
as served last year, although ofcourse, changes
Will be necessary from a variety of causes.
HOW THEY ARE REGULATED.
Beginning on the 18th of November the
night schools will be continued until the latter
part of March. Sessions of two hours each are
held three nights every week. The schools are
open to all, the only restriction placed upon
admission being that pupils must be at least
fourteen years of age. This restriction is i'm
posed to prevent children of tender age from
being kept out of the day schools.
SATISFACTORY RESULTS.
The school officials express themselves as be-
ing highly gratiied with the results Of the es-
Enlistment Of the night schools. Their need
has been demonstrated and it is believed that
they offer advantages to the great majority of
the pupils which they could obtain in no other
way. These schools are established in the col
ored school buildings as we'll as in the white
school buildings and the figures given above
refer to all the schools. The colored schools
are well attended, and perhaps they show
higher average of attendance than the white
schools. In addition to the appropriation of
$4,000 for these schools this year $500 were APP
proprlated for contigent expenses.