Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-18
OUR SCHOOLS

The public schools of the commun-
ity not only constitute an important
factor in determining the selection Of
home by those contemplating a
change of residence, but are in them
selves valuable criterion of the intel.
ligence, the cultivation and the enter
prise of . community; they show to
the stranger not only the opportunities
which he may have for the education
of his family, but they indicate with
considerable accuracy the mental at
mosphere in which he and his family
have to live. The men who founded
Grand Rapids were many of them not
only energetic business men, but men
who believed in popular education.
TheN came largely from New England
and New York, where the common
schools have fourlshed greatly, and
they brought with them their belief in
the common schools. and prominent
place in the thought of the people of
this community has always been occu-
pied by them. 1t is only few years
. nee the budget of annual school ex-
penses had to be voted by the people
from general school meeting. So far
as my experience goes these meetings
were largely attended, general and
intelligent interest was manifested in
the items of the budget and a DISPOSE
ton was always manifested to deal
literally with the schools. II is n good
characteristic OF q community that it
should voluntarily impose upon itself
what was at the time q heavy burden.
This wise and liberal policy has en-
.abled the city TO meet the increased
demands on 1t for buildings arising
from the rapid growth of the city, al
though it has been sometimes difficult
so to do. The total amount expended
for the year ending September 20. 1892,
for school purposes was 1897 ,057.94.
During this year there have been IN
the process of construction a new high
school building. four stories in height
win basement, 5000 feet OF floor
space and capable If accommod ating
900 pupils. commodious in size. with
the most approved means of
ventilation and beautiful in ap-
pearsnce. 1t will compare favor.
ably with bindings OF this kind
in other cities Of larger 81. Three
other large school houses are nearly
completed; including these, the city
has thirty-five school buildings, consti-
tuung property estimated 10 be worth
81 ,0sT goo, furnishing sittings for II, 765
pupils. These buildings arc in good
condition, many Il them modern N
type aud. &c rule. conveniently l'i-
Gated for the wants of the different
portions OF the CITY. Attending the
schools are 1877 enrolled pupils. AS
an additional means CT education the
city has library IN which there are
2a.772 volumes. IL IS interesting To
note that the use OF these booxs il
continually increasing II - useiess
IN an article Of the length suggested
mere to attempt any psrllcuisr caarsc-
terizaton OF oar schools; the igarss
gwen, dry e they may seem, Indicate
a population infused with tae IMPORT
ance oi pnlsl5c education. on the one
hand ready II fnrn.sh. &nd on the
the best sdvzntsgss. ret and lass
every sehcei system must be tested By
the work i does. among TIE mos:
prominent o. our Young professsossl
and BUSINESS nen are tie graduates Of
eur own schools; mere snd nore n
them every yesr ieavs the sekooi'
here, Only 10 enter tee Jsnssrsity -
! Elchizaa. o. some CT the other great