Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-02-06

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er, in the strengthening and broadening of
our school systems too little attention has
not been given to the establishment of an
adequate number of really first-class acade-
mics The colleges complain frequently of
the poor preparation Of those who present
themselves for admission, and, in raising
their own standard, have forced the pre-
paratory schools to attempt more aud higher
work each year. This they have often
been unable to do from lack of facilities.
We may count on the fingers Of one hand
the well-endowed, well-equipped, really
frst-class college preparatory schools capa-
ble of meeting in full the highest demands
Of the most advanced colleges. The mum
her Of schools attempting this work, how
ever, is very large, and they are Of all
grades of efficiency
Another class of schools attempts tn do
the work noted above, and besides furnishes
a
who are unable to take college or univer-
sity course The most important and eff
cient Of these are the private academies,
usually denominational, and hence exert
ing an influence more or less strong along
the line of moral and spiritual growth,
while maintaining high standard of schol-
arship The ideal school Of this type is the
Christian school for both sexes. with Chris
tian teachers who recognize the ethical and
religious elements that enter into every true
education Not sectarian schools, let it be
understood, but schools where God and his
word are made real factors in the school
life, and where the whole social and intel
lectual atmosphere is an evidence of this.
Such a school in its purpose is Vermont
Academy, at Saxtons River. No more suit
able site for a school could be found than
this beautiful and quiet village, among the
green hills Chartered in 1872 and opened
in 1876, Vermont Academy has steadily
grown in its facilities and outfit till it is
without doubt today the strongest aud best
equipped academy for both sexes in this
section of New England.
\ word as to its buildings and grounds.
The campus comprises plateau Of 30 acres,
to " hich has Just been added farm of 80
acres more There are two fine dormito-
ries, each with accommodations for about
30 students, the rooms fully furnished,
heated by steam, and with all modern con
veniences In each dormitorv several
teachers have their rooms and thus a con
slant supervision Is maintained, while the
opportunity is given for the personal intiu-
ence Of teachers upon students which is so
valuable and hs4pful in school life. The
dormitories are named Farnsworth hall and
Jones Hall, occupied respectively by young
gentlemen and young ladies'. Equidistant
between these stands the main building,
Fuller hall containing large and commo-
dious chapel or public hall, two well-equip
ped laboratories, the chemical and the physi-
/ cal, library and reading room, two con
veuient offices, large and well-lighted art
rooms and music rooms, and a sufficient
number of commodious recitation rooms
| fully fitted up with blackboards, maps,
| charts ami other facilities The y. NJ. C.
| A. and the boys literary society also have
/ pleasant rooms in this building Fuller
/ hall is, like the others, heated by steam,
[ and ventilation is secured by open fire
| places. The library comprises several hun
/ dred volumes of choice books, and in the
/ reading room are found about 30 papers
and periodicals.
In the rear of Fuller hall stands Proctor
/ hall, containing dining room, kitchen, laun-
( dry and other needed rooms. Here teach
ers and students meet at meals, and the con-
stant effort is to secure in all these relations
/ of school life the advantages of a refined,
well-ordered home. Back of Proctor hall
stands large store-house with refrigerators
and all needed conveniences. ArmOry hall
| is the drill hall and gymnasium. Physical
/ culture is emphasized at Vermont Academy.
I Military drill occurs three times each week
and the battalion has become famous
I throughout the state for its careful drill and
soldierly appearance. The apparatus for
the gymnasium comprises all that is needed
| for such work, and each winter a special
instructor in gymnastics is employed The
girls have light gymnastics three times a
week under competent instruction The
boiler house contains two large boilers, To
which "a third will soon be added, giving
ample heat for all the buildings. There are
also an ice-house, piggery and sheds. A new
library building is soon TO be erected, and
other buildings needed and in contempla-
ton are a boys gymnasium-after this is
built Armory hall will he fitted up especial
ly for the girls-a music hall, farm house
and other farm buildings, and two more
! dOrmtOries which are already demanded
10y the growth of the school. Mention should
be made also of the large and commodious
residence Of the principal, known as Sturte
want house
The farm consists of Is acres in high
state of cultivation and II acres now in
pasture The water supply is abundant
All the potatoes and other vegetables, smal
fruits, poultry, eggs, etc, needed for the
Academy table will he produced here.
So far as possible boys and girls of lin
tied means are given opportunities to pay
their expenses in part by work. Some di
rect and Is given from the income of severR
scholarships, but it is believed that an earn
est effort to make his own way is part Of
the needful training of every boy, aud thus
a manly independence is fostered In thi,
day it is possible for earnest, self denying
boys or girls 10 gain a good academic, ol
even full college education, if they are
willing to make the effort. It is hoped thai
the farm lately given 10 the school may
very materially aid these plans for giving
number of students a chance 10 earn theil
way. The far-sighted and generous PLAN
of the friend who gave the farm will beai
good fruit for many worthy boy and CIR
in the coming years.
The policy of the trustees of Vermont
Academy is liberal and progressive. A
first class college preparatory course is fur
nished, and this year l3 students of tn,
school were admitted to seven different col
leges on certificates of the principal Th
Of itself indicates the opinion of colleg,
men as TO the thoroughness of the worl
done. The academic course provides
broad and liberal training in Latin, mathe
matics, English, sciences, and modern Ian
guages for those who are preparing for tech
nical and scientific courses, and those VIII
pursue their school life no further. Ii
French aud German native teachers Civ
the instruction, the conversational metho'
is employed, and the course allows two o
even three years in these languages. Ii
music aud art the best facilities are offered
and the best and most approved method
are used. Concerts and exhibitions ar
given from time to time by students AM