The Washington times., 1915-05-04
Mrs. Paul Says School Life
should Be Preparatory in
Restricted, Real in lnclu-
Sive Sense.
Asserts Every Portion of
Girls Training Should Be
Actual Life-Would Make
1t Broad, Generous, Vital.
BY FLORENCE E. YODER.


PRIvATE-PUBLIC prepara-
~ tory school for girls model
n ed on the lines Of a univer-
sity. Such institutions for
boys have been exploited many times
In this country within the last few
years. but few like schools for girls
have been inaugurated.
A new era, however, Is dawning
in the history of the school. and in
1t, the plans for the education Of the
girl from the ages of eight to
eighteen, are receiving their full
share Of attention. Already old
forms and curricula are being dis
carded and necessary. instead of tra-
ditional courses Of study, are taking
the empty places.
Training for real life. instead of
for an existence which is purely
ephemeral, has come to be another
meaning for school, and has at last
penetrated to the sanctum-sancto-
rum, the private school for the girls
Of wealthy parents.
Complete Segregation Wanting.
Complete segregation from all out
side influences except those which
have been carefully dissectel and
put up in palatable form. has been
tried and found wanting BY the pri-
vatc school Exclusiveness gained at
the expense of the pupil ,s no longer
recommendation for a school. in
the eyes of the broad-minded parent.
A definite plan for such a school
was outlined in an interview had
recently with Mrs. Nanette B. Paul,
Ii. B., teacher in the Washington
College of Law, and author OF
THE Heart of Blackstone" q
volume which Is quite as interesting
and romantic as 1t sounds, even
though its subject matter deals with
the principles OF our common law.
Since Mrs. Paul was able to make
a book on law a chummy. interest
ing story instead Of a clammy trea-
tise. It was to be expected that her
vision Of the school for girls which
is to come was full of illuminating
side-lights.
For Corporate Ownership.
The first step. according TO Mrs.
Paul, which should be taken In the
progress Of the private school Is that
the CORPORATION should take the place
of the individual owner. In this way.
Just as the public owns and regu-
lates the great public schools will the
natrons OF the so-called private
schools OWE their institutions
Although the public-private insti.
tutions to come Is called VISION
Of Mrs. Paul. many OF us pest Iea,
tures have already been Incorporated
In private schools for girls all over
the United States. and the plan Is,
indeed, no longer a vision. but con-
crete thing, as far as preparatory
schools for boys Is concerned.
First Great Mistake.
1.-THE first great mistake Is made
by calling the school the place where
one is prepared for life" said Mrs.
Paul. "As a matter Of fact, why Is
not school life just as real as all
other life? Why should not the
be years OF actual life. instead of be-
ing a hooded and sheltered exist
ence of sham irresponsibility? For
there Is real responsibility in the
school, and 1t is the principal or
owner of the school who shoulders
most of it under present conditions
This is quite wrong. both to In
pay the bills-the parents.
"As regards actual financial
matters, following after the plan
set by the universities. and in
their turn by the public schools.
corporation. or. better still, public
Next. the. school should never
be a closcd-in place. but should.
like the university. share its con-
veniences. it's equipment. and it's