Los Angeles herald., 1891-01-01

The following excerpts from the an
nual address of President w. e. Pome-
roy, will serve to show the features Of
the development OF the city schools
"The past year has been one of marked
advance in all departments OF our school
work. The generous voting by our citi-
zens during the year of 5000, 900 OF bonds
for school purposes has given the board
the means to provide large additional
accommodations for our school children.
We earnestly hope that the halliday
school shall be thing of the past. A
large number of eligible sites have been
purchased, and fourteen new and com
modious schoolhouses have been built,
or are in process of completion. During
vacation additions will be made to four
others, thereby doubling their
accommodations. The marked I'M
provements in plans and in
terror arrangements of the new
school houses, and their good and sub
stantial construction will commend it.
self to all. The new high school build
ing now in course of construction is also
a building that will be a credit to our
beautiful city, and will compare most
favorably with any in the state.
"It is expected that the new buildings
and additions will accommodate $500
children, and when the schools open
October g.. 1890, it will be on full-day
time. We hope to have ready for use
10 school rooms, with corps of 10
teachers, and expect over 1000 children
to be in attendance.
"The wonderful increase in value of
our city school property can be appreci-
ated when it is known that fair valua-
ton of its lands, buildings and furniture,
including those ordered and provided
for by funds on hand, will exceed the
sum OF 100000.
"The school attendance has been con-
stantly increasing. The average enroll
ment this year over last is 4SO, and the
average increase in regular attendance
is almost in the same ratio. Our school
census marshal reported 10.867 children
between the ages OF and II years, and
4728 under 5 years of age"
From the superintendent report the
following is quoted:
"At the opening of the schools Sep
tember 2l, 1885, there were enrolled
35l9 pupils, taught by " teachers. OF
these teachers 32 are yet in the depart
ment.
"There were at that time seven
double sessions, that is two schools
taught by one teacher. showing
that the department lacked seven
school rooms and teachers in order
to accommodate all children roperly.
The number OF schools increased during
these five years much more rapidly than
accommodations could be supplied, so
that during the last school year there
were enrolled 6,953 pupils, taught by
1G0 teachers.
"More than half Of these pupils could
attend school but half of each day, be-
cause Of lack of accommodations. Dur
ing the past year, however, there have
been added to the department by the
enlargement Of old buildings and the
erection of new ones, sixty-lOur school
rooms, exclusive of the High school.
These new buildings are all we'll located
as to territory, and most of them as to
their immediate surroundings. All the
rooms are we'll lighted, heated, and
ventilated; and are fitted with the best
modern school furniture"
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
"The city has never had distinctive
high school building. The school has
been but poorly accommodated in other
school houses; sometimes in rented
rooms, often on halliday time. The
quality of instruction, though, has been
kept up to the best, and graduates are
now admitted to the state university
freshman class without examination.
"Among the other improvements Of
the past year is the erection OF new
brick high school building, four stories
in height, with basement, containing
about twenty-five rooms, including gym
nasium, lunch rooms, library, labora-
tory, auditorium, etc.
"The building is we'll and centrally
located, and will soon be completed and
occupied.
''The thorough instruction and the
prospect of these new and commodious
quarters have increased the attendance
OF the high school to 800 pupils-a gain
of almost 100 over any other enrolment.
''These improvements give rooms
enough for all pupils to attend school on
full day time; yet the population in
some places has 80 shifted as to cause. a