New-York tribune., 1905-08-26
CITY SCHOOLS
Widening Scope of the Secondary
Institutions.
Institutions.

Along with the recent great development in
all educational methods has come an extensive
Widening of the scope and power of the element
ary and secondary schools In the large cities,
and notably In New-York Their physical sit
uatton, in the midst of all the activities of mod
ern life. gives to the things learned in them
harmony with actual conditions frequently lack
ing In the schools which more remote from
the great centres Of population: while the pres
ent day system OF parks and Fairgrounds and
the ease with which the country be reached
largely dispose Of the old objections which were
made to city schools the ground of the neces-
sary restriction of youthful activities.
The city boy and GID. In attending city
schools, have the added advantage of being at
home, where the parents can watch over their
mental and physical development and give the
personal care and attention which would be
impossible elsewhere and which have so much
TO do with character formation-the ultimate
aim Of all true education
The advantages OF the city school are many,
but perhaps the largest lies in the freedom of
choice Of courses offered. Even in the public
schools nowadays 1t Is possible for any child
to obtain training in almost any desired direc-
tion. All the usual elementary branches are of
course, well taught; but there is. besides, the
opportunity to acquire either the luxuries of
earning or the Independence giving knowledge
of a trade. Glasses IN the more important mod
ern languages-German. French and Italian
be elected by any child in many cities:
both the theory and practice Of art are taught,
and music Is considered an essential: while for
the prospective tradesman or artisan, bookkeep-
ing and stenography, mechanical drawing and
manual training to be had.
Another advantage of the city schools which
cannot well be overestimated is the ease with
which may he had To
collections No school could of itself maintain a
collection Of either works of art or specimens of
scientific interest comparable to any one of a
dozen to be seen In large city like New York
Under modern methods of teaching in which it
is sought to show to the pupil objects illustrat-
ing as fully possible the nature of the sub
ject under discussion, this advantage is great
A single institution like the Museum of Natural
History makes the study of all forms OF animal
plant life, Of rock formation or of the man
ner of living of distant peoples infinitely
Ineligible to the youthful learner than any
printed Illustrations could do and lends reality
and interest to the subject studied.
One of the most important changes which have
taken place in recent years in city schools has
been IN regard to increased Importance given to
recreation. The modern system of gyInnasiums
and Fairgrounds undreamed of few
years ago. and has added largely to the health
fulness and efficiency of the schools. System
atized physical training largely offsets the nee
essarily restricted size Of city schoolyards and
makes it possible for the children not only to
keep healthy and strong, but in many cases to
attain far greater health and strength, to say
nothing of grace and ease of action, than was
wont to result from the old system of
stricted fresh air-and little else. The scientific
supervision of sports and physical exercises
now customary in city schools adds greatly to
their usefulness as well to the happiness Of
the children.