The herald., 1895-11-11
Brief Comment on Local Institu.
tons of Learning
THE PRIDE OF THE CITY
Conditions Here Especially Favorable
for Excellent Schools
Los Angeles the Educational Center Of the
South - Public School System.
Outline Of the Work

California has long since outgrown
| those conditions which made it possible
| to refer to the state as "the wild and
woolly west" In educational matters at
least she has come to he recognized every
where as one among the foremost states
of tina Union. As part of the great state
of California Los Angelcs would naturally
share in it's glory. 1t would share large
| ly, as il is an important part of the state.
| Even more than that. however, is claim
ed for the southern metropolis, and it is
almost universally conceded.
Los Angeles has the best equipped, best
maintained and best nd Mustered public
schools in the entire west. Certain con-
ditions there are which go to bring about
these results. The first concerns local
conditions; the city is the center Of the
southern portion of the state. Being the
center commercially, politically and other
wise. it IS but natural that 1t should be-
come 80 educationally. The peo-
pie in the smaller surrounding towns
| look to the city for q suitable place to
secure those educational advantages want.
ing in their own respective cities. OF
whatever character those wants may be,
they can be satisfied within the boun-
daries of Los Angeles.
| There are several institutions here of
higher education, among which are: The
| University of Southern California, a
Methodist institution, comprising q col.
lege of liberal arts, college of medicine
and other departments; Occidental col
lege, conducted ty the Presby tsrians, and
offering in its curriculum a full col
| nd "a
| for young men and boys, under the pat
ronage of the Catholic church.
Schools of lesser grade sle more num-
erous. The Baptists have an excellent
preparatory school called the Los Angeles
Academy, and there are great many
private schools of high order.
i The opportunities for educating young
women are perhaps better here than any
where west of New York. In this partic-
| ular the educational situation in Los An
geles il unique. There is a large portion
of the popuation composed of retired men
of wealth and their families and these
have created demand for high grade
finishing schools for young ladies. The
| dem and has been we'll met and today
there are several seminaries in the city
that may be classed among the best in
| the country.
| The ssmi-profsssional school known as
| the business college has good represent
alton here and several institutions Of the
kind flourish in the city. Schools Of art,
| eiocution. etc., are not wanting. num-
Der of each adding their special training
| to complete the educational system.
There are four parochial schools in Los
| Angeles, each of which has an average
attendance of 200 pupils. They are in
charge of the sisterhood of the church
| - All IL <hnS st kaoo
Under tho head of Catholic SCHOOLS should
be mentioned the Orphan Asylum under
the direction OF the Sisters of Charity.
where little waits are instructe in the
regular common school branches.
One of the three state normal schools
of California is located at Los Angeles.
1t is an institution supported by the
state for the training of teachers for the
public schools. The board of trustees is
composed of tho following prominent
men: His Excellency James H. Budd !;
Samuel T. Black. superintendent OF pub
lie instruction; General John Mansfield.
president, Captain A. s. Davidson, A.
E. Pomaroy. Esq. Hon. 7. 2. Lukens
and Superintendent F. A. Molyneaux. .
The school was established by act of
Los Angeles was but little more than a
village and all of Southern California was
sparsely populated. 1t has steadily
grown in size and influence until it 10
one of the most prominent educational
institutions on the coast. 1t is located
almost in the center of the city on an eie-
yation fifty feet above the principal bust
ness streets, which are but three or fonr
blocks away. The campus consists of five
acres beautifully laid out and improved
with drives, walks and shrubbery.
Besides the main building there are
we'll equipped gymnasium. The main
building is an imposing structure, from
any one of whose several towers may be
obtained magnificent views of the sur
rounding country. The original struct-
ure was 100 by 100 feet and three stories
larger building, 1870 by 50 feet, also three
stories high. The whole contains forty
five Gloss and recitation rooms. Besides
these there is a magnificent auditorium,
80 by 100 feet, capable OF seating 1900 peo-
pie, large musaum room, com modious
library containing 1000 volumes, and
large anc finely furnished public and
private offices and reception rooms.
The laboratories for physics, chemistry,
biology and psychology are finely planned
for special work and well equipped with
modern apparatus.
The principal, DR.. Edward T. Pierce, is
assisted in his plans and work by large,
| enth usiastio and capable faculty consist
ing of twensy-eight gentlemen and ladies,
nearly all Of whom are specialists. The
|
well-eQulpped teachers for the public
schools OF the state. The course of study
covers four years, all of which tends to-
ward special preparation for teaching.
Prominent educators recognize tho spe
cial professional department.. under Dr..
| +. B. Dresslar, as one OF the strongest in
the normal schools of the United States.
Nearly 500 students attend the school
yearly, and its influence on the intellect
ual development of the state is great as
large percentage OF the teachers OF South
eYn California are graduates OF the insti-
tuition. There IS no expense for tuition,
as the state. recognizing Its duty to its
children, supports the school solely for
the uplifting of the teaching force.
In this city is located the largest high
school in the state. 1t has an enroll
ment this year of nearly 900 students, m ost
of whom come from the grammar grades
of the city schools. The institution is
maintained by the municipality and IS
governed by the city board Of education.
an aole corps of thirty instructors is en-
ployed to teach the four years course of
study, which EN- braces all of the branches
usually included in the curriculum OF
secondary school. Graduates OF the In
stituiton are admitted to the state uni
versity, Stanford university and many of
the best known colleges of the east with
out examination. Great care has been
exercised in arranging the courses OF study
to make them comply with the require
mepts of the institutions of higher learn