New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-20
Some Reflections for
Parents Scanning the
Broad Field Of Pri-
vate Institutions.
BY FRANK s. HACKETT.
Head Master Rverdale Country SCHOOL
Riyerdale- on Hudson. New YORK 1ty.

Riyerdale- on hudson, New lorh ''''
When thoughtful New York City
parents look frankly at the matter OF a
boys schooling they find a perplexing
situation.
The public schools are clearly among
the best In the country. but their genera.
location affords little perspective other
than that OF the crowded city street and
their very nature precludes any consld-
cradle degree of intimacy between
teacher and pupil. The boy should have
the chance to see more than the city
street on his way TO school. while there
and afterward, and his outlook upon life
should be colored not only by books but
by close associa ton with whole souled
teachers and with good companions.
A great lament of the fine body OF pub
lie school teachers. particularly those OF
the high schools. is that they lack both
time and strength TO develop more than
an acquaintance with the fifty or sixty
pupils who remain with them through but
four brief months. The boy who misses
friendship with the strong man who day
by day unconsciously presents 10 him a
philosophy OF life loses one of the truest
educational influences. II. in addition.
his horizon be limited TO the school and
the street he is surely handicapped.
Scope Of Private Schools.
Seeking broader facilities. mothers and
fathers who can afford private schools
turn 10 consider this large field. The loca
ton Of those in town is a decided improve
ment over that Of the public schools. for
they are often on park streets. or near
parks, and almost always in the less
crowded districts. Generally. too. they are
built upon the fundamental tenet OF init
mate teaching, and they limit their
classes to a maximum of twenty or
teachers.
The outlook OF these schools, however,
must be. In general. that Of the city: the
boy as rule. can do little more than
proceed from home TO school and return.
Even II he go TO the parks for his recrea-
ton, as many OF these schools provide
that he should. there is lacking that OPP
portunity for the development Of keenness
Of mind. body and character which coun-
try life affords. There cannot but be in
the thoughtful home an appreciation Of
how narrowing In the school life OF boy
is the viewpoint Of the city alone Thus.
parents have sought something more sat
isfying than the private school In town.
New Type OF Institution.
For the last six years in answer TO this
demand. there has been developed IN
Riverdale the high. open country north
OF Manhattan Island and south OF Yonk-
ers. living between Van Cortandt Park
and the Hudson-a most beautiful wooded
ridge-the new type OF country day ana
boarding school. This region is near
enough TO town 10 be readily accessibi"
by Broadway subway or by autobus TO
the downtown residential districts, ana
vet secluded enough 90 breathe the at
mosphere OF the hills and the open helds'
Here four schools Tor boys and one Tor
girls. three of these being older insutu-
lions formerly In town. have been located
within these Few years. and others. no
less well known. have planned 10 leave
the CITY streets tor the open country.
In this new kind OF school carefuI
mothers and fathers have found much oil
flgA
,ior Of tho building gives an outlook upon
natural beauty. The plan OF Work aHornS
not only intimacy Of instruction put' ~
we'll companionship with teachers du''n3
the afternoon play hours
Pleasure and Profit for Lads
The boys themselves love this ne
They enjoy the trip TO and fro, ana theY
delight IN the freedom Of the country
Here are no Keep of the grass Signs
and here no official interfcres with coast
ing skating. baseball or football. Every
dav holds It's hour and half or TWO
hours Of free. untrammelled enjoyment
of the sports OF tine season, or OF the
occunat,ons OF the country boy. such as
gardening or making something In the
u,ortshop His Saturdays. too, are hlled