The Press., 1889-02-21

SCnOlaES Ill 0Gt0nQanC0, thus 1ncreael1g Gn6 efficiency of the school in three fold ratio. The small number in attendance q only speak of what hos beesg does not speak we'll for the young people of such village as Stafford Springs. F. z
 From Ex.Principal.Despe
 MIR. EDITOR From Rev. MT. Buck. ley's article in your issue of Feb. 2, Tthink there must be somewhere misunderstood Ing concerning "course of study" for the schools of Stafford Springs, for surely such was in existence during my connection herewith.
 Previous to my assuming charge of the schools in your borough special commit tee, of which I think Mir. Alvarado How ard was chairman, prepared course ot study based upon extended investigation and visitation of the bestz Rhools in New England. This was the groundwork and basis of whatever success has been achiev. ed, and was as vital to the success of the school as compass to the successful navi- gation of a vessel. A school without a course of study! Certainly some search should be made for the blank book in which this essential means of educational success was copied, and which, with va rious allied records, was left in the room known as the library or office. say allied records, because from the first @ careful and complete record was made by each teacher of the work of each class in eGch study pursued during the term. These reports were copied and filed in a special book marked "Term Work" and proved an invaluable aid to the teachers, commit tee, and board of visitors in making the work of the school approach more nearly the ideal sought. .. .
 When the new school was opened, the
 widely varying attainments of the various pupils thrown together for the first time
 made temporary classification necessary and of course time was required to trans form the former ungraded system to one of higher value, but the course of studJ with which we were obliged to start wal modified to meet the ideal as rapidly aE consistent with the best interests of tho school. In the high school this was es pecially so, for previous to the establish ment of this school no attempt was made to conduct high school proper.
 A high school IS made up of two classes of pupils, viz. i: those who intend to com plete their school days there, and those who intend to continue their education ir college or professional school. To this end the course of study must be planned and our best high schools have according. ly divided the line of work into three SO called courses, viz. the English, the class ical, and the college preparatory. The highest educational authorities agree that each course should include the depart ments of language, mathematics, and sci enee, for each of these offers advantages in mental training that are not supplied by the others. Under the head of language
 are considered English Literature, rhetoric elocution, etc. ), the classics Natin and Greek), and modern languages (French and German chiefly. Under mathematics higher arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry constitute the line of oul standard high schools, while science takes up such subjects as physiology, natural philosophy or physics, botany, zoology, chemistry, geology, astronomy, political economy, etc. In addition to the above ancient and modern history, manual train ing, drawing, music and military discipline occupy prominent place in the leading schools. I have omitted morality from the above list, not because I think it should not be taught, far from it, but be- cause the principles of integrity and. up rightness should go hand ill hand with 0l successful teaching. To secure the best development of the mental faculties a pu- pii must consider more or less of GW three divisions, but as 8 complete mastery of all is impossible in the limited time of high school course proper, it is usually divided into the so-called English and classical courses respectively, and he is allowed to choose according to his individual prefer ence or future advantage, the English course paying more attention to science and mathematics, and the classical making most of the division of language. ,4 :
 The course must be sufficiently rigid or of ''cast-iron" nature to preclude shirking on the part of the indolent pupil or mar. row-minded parent, and yet be flexible enough to meet the best interests of the and the community at large. With unlimited means and adequate teach ing force results may be obtained that are with faculty of but two in- structors, hence a modification is necessary in this latter instance. Accordingly, it was thought best to omit the college pre- paratory course, especially as there was any one who cared to take it, and frame course of study best suited to the desires of the public for whom the school was established. Such course was adopt ed, and was apparently working well, thanks to the hearty cooperation of visit DTS, committee, parents, pupils, and teach ers. Last year, in accordance with this course, instruction was given in language by means of work in Latin, French and the latter including grammar, composition, rhetoric, etc. i; in mathemat- ics, by means of arithmetic, algebra, ge- ometry, and trieonometry in science, by physics, chemistry, botany, and astronomy. Besides the above, U. &. history, ancient history, bookkeeping, music, and drawing, were carefully taught, as trust the records will show, and as think the pupils will testify. If, however, this course has been outgrown, I most sin cerely hope an ideal least iron" course of study can be adopted that shall be unmuti- lated by the hobbies of any principal who has made the study of science speciality, :" and who can no longer be looked upon as acting in the capacity of a gunner using classics as bullets and the open window as a target. W. Fl. DEspER.
 Brookline, Mass., High School.
 PROSECUTING AGENT TURNER of Stafford Springs was last Tuesday removed by the eo,ankv commissioners or, account oe o>,,o