New-York tribune., 1896-05-26
A NEW BUILDING NEEDED.
THE FROEBEL ACADEMY MUST HAVE
LARGER QUARTERS.
FLOURIsHING INSTITUTION THAT HAS BEEN
PRONOUNCED A MODEL SCHOOL" - THE
MOVEMENT TO RAISE BUILDING
FUND-PATRONs IN CLOSE TOUCH
WITH THE TRUSTEES.

A movement has been started in the interest OF the
Froebe Academy. a school well known especially in
the Twenty-third and Twenty-f wards for the
raising of a fund for the enlargement of the school
building which Is now taxed TO its utmost capacity,
and circular has been issued by the Board OF Trus-
tees and widely distributed in that part OF the city
The circular Is signed by Charles \. Chadwick, the
president Of the Board and contains sketch OF the
history OF an educational enterprise OF rare interest
and promise.
The Froebe Academy has been pronounced ny
competent educators a ''model school," and, while
those in charge of 1t realize that this praise Is ex-
cessve It is their constant aim to make 1t as good as
possible and their efforts in this direction are limited
only by the resources al their command
HOW THE WORK STARTED
The academy had Its inception as long ago as 1876
when a few progressive Brookynites had their at
tenton attracted TO the exhibition of kindergarten
work at the Centennial Exposition. The kinder
garen then almost unknown In this country but
its advantages at once perceived by the people
referred to- and the subject Immediately taken
up for study through books lectures, the formation
of classes and normal school instruction The gath-
erng of children in neghborhood groups for kinder
garten work followed. and this work was carried on
with considerable success for seven years.
At the end OF that time the demand Of this section
Of the city a system of instruction different from
any within its reach seemed to warrant the concen-
traton OF energy In central institution. and in june
1Ss3 the Froebel Academy was Incorporated. num-
Der Of the men interested having pledged themselves
to so scholarships to the amount Of $500 The
school opened in old frame building on Lafay-
etie-ave. the north side OF Tompkins Park. near
Tompkins-ave.. on September 26 1883. with two
teachers and forty pupils. 1t has steadily grown
from that time. and now has eleven teachers and
nearly 200 pupils.
TEN GRADES. FOR TEN YEARS.
1t has ten grades of work-two kindergarten. four
primary and four academic It carries the pupil
through ten years. from the age Of four to fourteen
The aim OF the academy Is the application of true
principles OF education through the best methods.
The purpose from the beginning has been 10 carry
Froebels fundamental principle Of even devel pment
through all grades. While the work has been III
some degree experimental. and while 1t has been
carried on under severe limitations Of space
and appliances has been well and carefully done
The trustees exercise the greatest care In the Sc
lection Of teachers and in keeping watch over inc
wellbe!ng OF the school They have the aid OF a num-
Der of intelligent and progressive members ot the
Froebel Society an organization OF women com
posed Of the mothers Of former and present pupils
in the academy.
In the summer Of lss5 a sufficient sum was raised
TO build the basement OF a proposed new building
and in 1894 the present building was erected Inc
building is valued at Slle0, and the land. when mas
A frontage OF 65 feet. AZ $1,000. In the erection OF
the new building a considerable indebtedness was
incurred. and a mortgage the property ior $500
is held by Charles VI. Pratt The value of the prop
erty in excess Of the Indebtedness - nearly 81"
THE PRESENT NEEDS.
The circular referred to as having been sent out
by the tr,steeg says:
The income OF the academy from iis tuition IS
nearly $1,000 This IL ak needed for salari'r inter
est ana general eNpenstS. y,,. rogporaton nor
money making Institution It's rates Of tuition are
with th9se Of other academies rhc financial sue
GEES therefore Of the academy depends uP'" INV
al Of "a
In the annual report OF the Board OF lrls.rcs ~ %,
needs e} Of the academy ana again MAY >, lssi
the statement was made that IN tne h'ar IA ~ IT,
creased rooms for classes Already AL me classes
need separate rooms and teachers hslsths ar
rangements cannot last longer man ao'm,i anon, nn,
We can accommodate In The klndersaI,eh room room
MY or Sky nss as m mos sou, 1 thr,v Four primary
and four academic classes VIII eventually relMr"
room. We have now counting the diyisi2r--f> he
top floor. only six classroom h.n I,h" & rppT nppSt
ty-nye scholars each. the alternative ~ Two agil,
onal ms or thc os- , ii ay toS r. m far,
The problem OF growth and Development bIt
OF iHe eonfront4 The Froe6c Acadcy
This forces IN, consideration of an etiiil9na,
building upon MS To work as preparatory s'no2i n,
OF the first rank We need building which Wli Wli
provide new kindergarten room @nownE ,nG
present room for gymnasium" carp'h,ri'ns H.,
manual training. a chapel an aIt room hha,,,i
rooms for library. laboratory or special "'rN' ana
The M sum Of 500 is adequate to erect The founda-
OF "A
Sor immedlate needs and enable the academy TO
grow hcalthly In the future AZ IT has In the past
luton passed at the last patrons meeting May 2.
1896 have elected committee from IN, pat2nS ,s iS
take this matter IN charge f. !: Cock"y 40 f1'
S IND hold sIbscrlpt,ons 10 this funi In trust 70
S1ilalns' SD aaRlIi'' o"'' ~ '"' ''' ~ 49,, -,
The plan for raising the money Is 10 ask TSr fSr
trustees feel that with the earnest co-operaton OF
the 100 families who are patrons oil 'he Scnoo'' '''
need not be a difficult tack. ,o
This appeal IL made In the interest OF good 'H"'"'
tion and good citizenship
A TALK WITH PRESIDENT CHADWICK.
The committee mentioned in the circular consists
Of Mrs Isaac Franklin Russell. chairman; Edward
n Cockev treasurer; W. w Glover. Mrs Lawrence
Kneeand and Mrs Oscar Binkerd Mr. Chad"ck'
president OF the trustees OF me academy was
asked yesterday regarding the progress OF the
movement for putting up new building lie
showed the nveliest interest In tho subject. ana
sad:
The movement cannot be said to he falry s'ar'od
AZ vet but the preliminary steps have been taken
in the right way. believe. and expect that the
friends and patrons OF tho Froebel Academy VIII
respond in the right way. AS matter OF lac''
we have reached our limit with the present Duiid-
ing although II was erected only three years ago
II was not such a building as we should nave
been glad to put up. but II was the best we cou'"
do under the circumstances. ard II mas served our
purpose very we'll BY some pressure we can get
hro,oh another wear in the present building. but
urIesa we have more room re shall then nave 10
face the question OF cutting on one OF the gradeS
which we do not want to do
"The Committee finance as IT may be termed
vas authorized at n meeting OF the patrons OF the
school held about year ago ana II was S'''
With great care. The plan agreed on Is 10 ask TOT
email amounts from considerable number OF
pcople. which are be paid In ins'aments' Even
small contributions will thus amount TO sood
ann in a few months. The academy has about
one hundred and sixty patrons. and most OF them
feel a deep interest IN It's welfare. We hope that
,ooa nron,rt,on will ioin In with plan. and do
fbcr mari toward giving us the needed Duihihs
fund No plans in 'eterence 10 'ns ne r room for