New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-10
THE NEW HIGH SCHOOLS.
THEIR VALUE IN COMPLETING THE SYSTEM OF
PUBLIC EDUCATION IN NETWORK.

THEIR VALUE IN COMPLETING THE SYSTEM OF
PUBLIC EDUCATION IN NETWORK.
To the Editor Of Tie Tribune.
Sir: The reopening OF the public schools this week
Is attended by an event which ought to make the
year memorable in the history Of the city. The
promise OF year ago is fulfilled, and the Board
OF Education gives US three high schools-a CO.
educat ionsl school In the Annexed District. ana
one each for boys and for girls downtown-wIth
the assurance that they are but the beginning OF
series which shall be adequate for the needs OF the
city.
Tie Opening OF three schools II in Itself a
small matter but when II is remembered that New
York has hitherto been content 10 DO without high
schools and practically 10 stop the education OF lis
people FAR az the city shall care for them. with
the grammar schools. the event may well chal-
lenge attention. alongside the election OF a
Mayor These schools are the recognition on the
part OF the community Of the value OF the higher
education, and OF the right Of every child TO the
opportunity for the development OF the best pow
ers OF which ne Is possessed. The high school IT,
for the great mass Of the young people. the only
bridge by which they pass 10 any kind OF
advanced intellectual training. II Is almost incon-
ceivablc that while the educa onal system OF the
Nation has been steadily developing around 1t. the
metropolis should have failed 10 recognize It's IN
portancc
In our American system the public schools are
in the narrow sense OF teachng book-iore: they
humanize. They reveal the child 10 himself; they
open his eyes to observe the world about him
they teach him the rights OF others: they bind
cisss to class. they make n self-respecting clean
turegent progressive. civilized lie possible II Is
p fa;el parsimOny that would restrict the outlay
:or public schools 10 what would do little beyond
lining the children above absolute isracy.
Sow, that - 10 have high schools Il IL
jov 10 know that they are 20 DO OF the best. The
host high-schOol principals OF the country have
been secured 9or them TO set the standard for the
future: they have gathered staff OF teachers from
S"r and vide chosen by competitive examination.
Expert f. their several departments, they have
IsnneJ from, the outset distinct courses, collegiate
ggr1anriec general and commercial. that every
scboIar NAV go forward ~ the particular line Of
I,n he chooses or for which he Ia adapted and
Wv have in Introduced the co-educatonal principle.
~ only remains now for the citizens TO recognize
80 si0nihcance OF the event. and 10 honor the
..nrl, and The workers. / have no personal ac-
onaintarcc with these men ard women, but no
ssroun has come 10 our rity more worthy or per-
ssonsf welcome or for their WORKS sake. more de-
VIII the completion OF the orsanizaion OF the
Greater New-York. in due time we shal nave
Dex BOARD OF Education: before II comes into
newer II is quite possible that our nigh echoois
viii have won position In the eyes or the com
w,,nity from which they cannot De Hs,urpeu IN
any "a se n Is within the province OF INC eit,sens
60 acc so clearly what Is wanted as 10 MAKE IL I'M
,orative upou whoever may b" Pppointeo 70 ONCE
10 nush forward our school system upon Ihc ines
now laid down day has dawneI ,wnich new
York will not consent to have turned SS sr
io'" VI" nv HENRY A. STIMsON
Eew-York. Sept. & .sy7.