The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-01-02
PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE
NEEDED AND WILL REMAIN,
ny JOHN MITCHELL TUGGEY,
Headmaster Bethlehem Prepare
tory school, Rethlehcm. PA.

The condition OF most private schools
Is FAR better than could reasonably be
expected because OF the uncertainties In
most lines of business due to the worlds
war. The wonderful growth of private
schools In this country and their con-
slant Increase prove beyond "A doubt that
they are needed and will remain. no
matter how greatly the public school is
improved. Some OF our public schools
are really marvels-beautiful buildings,
most expensive and varied equipments,
loyal and efficient instructors. large ath-
letic grounds. manual and vocational
training. They seem to have everything
that money can procure for the welfare
OF the pupils. Vet the private school
with poorer buildings. less equipment.
continues to replete It's numbers and to
grow. Why? The private school, espc-
cially for older boys. has for its main
business the preparation for college.
They come into closer relations with
their instructors. They can corfine their
attentions TO those subjects which are
specifically required by the particular
college to which they aspire. Their cdu-
cation is more intensive. They already
breathe the college atmosphere. Be
cause of the present unit system each
terms work Is measured. II each stu
dent can see oN tctly where he stands
and % much more he has to do. This
unit system may overomphasiZe the
passing OF studies and the acquiring OF
such units. but II the work is we'll done
and high standings are maintained the
student is surely thoroughly grounded
in those particular studies. After all he
has learned "A most important lesson
the doing OF one piece of work at n time
and that dom thoroughly,
II - also possible in a private school
70 hold "A hoy responsible for the years
work aud also to see to II that the
work Of all the preceding years IL re-
viewed and that when he enters college
ne enters we'll versed and familiar with
all his mathematics, his English. his
foreign languages, his science and his
history.
Again. the boy in Il private school
Is treated more emphatically as a man
and "A gentleman. More is expected
II him in manners and morals. He is
given more opportunities to exercise
his social traits. He is encouraged to
participate in school activities. and he
Is more rigidly held responsible for his
effect Oh the school. There is more Of
the social organism in which each one
has his share and his duties.
10 athletics influence boys IN choos-
ing II private school in preference to n
public hiGh school? I think they do.
lsil 49, ''HAA' vi 10y Wv " ~
preparatory school into a college Than
from public schools. This Immediately
gives zach a better tauding and "A bet
ter opportunity Of becoming recognized
for many things in college life. A
prep school athlete is more likely 10
receive attention than one from another
school. Athletes recognize this. and
boys as "A rule prefer to attend schools
| with good athletic teams.
l.. 49,. .aal 80 ---
being made now by the four principal
private schools in Greater New York
in regard to eliminating from athletics
those boys who receive rebates In tut
ton, This undoubtedly will strike at
the heart Of an evil I'm school and coli
leec athletics. II will eliminate the
tramp athlet" who moves from school
to school receiving expenses and possibly
sometimes more. But this rule pun
shes the innocent together with the
guilty. This happens in other walks of
life. Must it he true here also? II
those who control the athletic activities
in any particular school are honest. this
need not happen. a boy without funds
wishes to attend a preparatory school.
lie is "A good athlete, a clean cut gen
tleman.
Why cannot his boy be allowed to
wait on table, attend furnace, clean class
rooms. SC. IN DONG TINS he receives
the same allowance which the school
would have to pay an outside waiter or
janitOr. There are many inexpensive
\ schools where the money thu earned
would nearly pay the boys way. Would
any one refuse to take this hoy If he
/ remained out of school for a couple OF
| years and saved the necessary money by
acting as ~janitor or waiter" ] believe
not. why not permit him TO do In a
private school what il being advocated
In many places-that IL a combination
OF study and work? II such a boy IL
really serious about his college work. II
taking a full course and is doing this
satisfactorily. there is no reason why he
should not represent the school on an
| athletic team. II this is not allowed II
| seems to me those schools refusing it are
laying too much emphasis on their ath-
letice,
This school Is having a successful year
II Is rejoicing in the Consciousness of
| honest work and play. II expects Ia
send its boys out we'll prepared for col
| lege and to face those crises OF life work
| which require a clear brain and n clean
heart. Bethlehem Is prospecting and sh,
extends to all other school the heartiest
good wishes for n prosperous n happy
New Year.
A NEW YEARS