The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-06-11
Enrolment

This schedule concludes our statement
of the situation of present conditions, let
us consider for momsnt its natural and
legitimate results.
1t stands to reason that every pupil
should complete his primary education
as early as is consistent with through
work, In behalf of his subsequent cul-
ture his preparatory work can not be
completed too early, if at the same time
it can be done well. 1t is matter Of
common observation and experience that
the earlier a pupil properly completes
the work OF the Grammar Department
the more it is that he will possess the am
bltion to continue his education in the
High School. On the other hand
the older he gets before reaching that
standard, the less likely it is that he Will
avail himself of High School advantages.
Not only does the youths ambition for
intellectual culture flag as he gets older,
but the temptation as well as the neces-
sity for quitting school become more ur-
gent each year as he approaches the age
of manhood. The boy who finishes the
work of the Grammar Department at the
age of thirteen, it may be safely assumed
will under ordinary circumstances go on
and finish the High School course before
quitting school.
If, on the other hand, he reaches the
age OF sixteen, before attaining the stand
ard for entrance, In nine cases out of ten
that will mark the limit of his schooling.
1t must be admitted of course that girls
are not subject to this tendency in the
same degree as boys, but .in a measure
the same influences are operative in de-
termining the extent of their education
Let US see how these considerations
touch the subject under discussion.
When the class about to be promoted
from the Grammar Department enters
the High School at the beginning of next
year, the average age its pupils will DO
1902 years.
More than one-third of the entire class
will have reached the age of sixteen and
over, while only two out of the forty two
will be less than fourteen years old.
About three-fourths of the whole class
will have passed tue age of fifteen. This
class is 10y no means an exceptionally old
one as compared with some of the classes
OF late years.
Owing TO the crowded condition of the
school and the insufficient number of
teachers, every pupil beginning in the
primary department must pass through
ten rooms before entering the high school
whereas our course prescribes only eight
grades, and the time for the accomplish
ment Of this work is not expected to re-
quire more than eight years. Heretofore
| understand, it has been generally feasI-
bic to promote all along the grades at
some time during the middle of the year
as we'll rs at the close, thereby relieving
the pressure somewhat IN the lower de-
partments. This year, as will be noticed
from the previous schedule, a general
promotion, including more than few
individuals, was entirely out of the ques-
ton. 1t follows then that if but one pro-
motion is to be made each year land. if
the school maintains its present over
crowded condition only one promotion is
possible) 1t must require ten years before
pupil can reach the High School. More
than that, since according to the present
arrangement of double divisions every
primary pupil CONSUMES two years in the
lowest room, If he does not outstrip his
classmates by exceptional brightness. it
will actually require eleven years to do
what under different circumstances could
be accomplished far better In eight. Is
1t any wonder under such conditions that
our High School department is gradually
becoming ladies seminary. Nor is that
all, while our population has been con-
stantly increasing in the past four or five
years, the number of pupils in the High
School has been as constantly decreasing
And this downward course is bound to
continue until the root of the malady has
been removed. In addition to the above
considerations, it would seem but cou-
mon justice TO parents who cannot afford
to give their children anything more than
an elementary education, that such edu-
cation should be of the bsst possible
quality and of the most thorough nature,
since such children are 10 be forever de-