Evening star., 1928-06-10

II Ii claimed that Washington is the
hub Of education In spite of the fact
that other cities such as Chicago and
New York boast more and wealthier
schools
Judging a city to be the educational
center of the United States Is about as
difficult as calling one young miss the
most beautiful girl in the country. There
are so many factors TO be taken in con-
sideration in doing the judging and
then there are so many varieties Of taste
and opinion. Blonde versus brunette,
the buyish or the feminine long curls
type. number of school buildings. quality
Of equipment and teachers, all these
must be scored by the judges In the
respective contests. When they have
reached their conclusions just as many
people will disagree as agree with
them.
The Nations Capital has many argu-
ments on which TO base the claim Of
educational Importance The fact that
about one-fifth Of the city's popula-
ton is enrolled In schools. and the
possession of that intangible something
called atmosphere. and in this case an
atmosphere conducive to study, are two
points.
It is apparent that Washington must
afford unusual facilities and oppor-
tunities for educational advancement
when statistics are quoted. II Is esti-
mated at the present time that there
are more than half million residents
In the District of Columbia and that
more than 100000 are on one school
roster or another. Some 10000 are en-
rolled in the public schools, and approx
mately 10000 In the private academies.
schools and universities.
The public schools are housed In 164
buildings with more always In process
Of construction, and those privately
controlled occupy 249.
The first named rank near the top
OF a Nation wide crediting list, receiv-
ing recognition on various points,
among them being the quality OF teach
ers' the length OF school term. the funds
expended and the standards for the
pupils. Private schools In the District
have been we'll known for years, for
In the days when most girls went TO
finishing schools Washington was a
popular place TO go for tho process. AL
though many now consider this type Of
school a step on the way 10 college, they
are we'll attended because OF their pre-
paratory courses.
There are is private academies or
high schools In the city with an enroll
ment Of 100 or more boys and girls
or both. Eight Of these are nor-sec-
tartan, while seven are denominational.
In their last reports TO the United
States Bureau OF Education they showed
an enrolment Of nearly 5000, or an
average of almost 200 each. There are
numerous other schools OF recognized
standing. which are not shown In the
bureaus statistics, because they are too
small. Private elementary schools are
among those listed.
Schools Of Higher Education.
There are between 500 and 1000 stu
dents In tho normal schools OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia who are studying to
become teachers.
washington boasts IL privately con-
trolled universities, colleges and profess
siDnal schools and one publicly con-
trolled college. Included In this num-
ber are both sectafian and non-sec~
tartan institutions. graduate and pro-
fessional schools, university for ne
gfoes and a college for the deaf.
In addition there are numerous busi-
ness colleges and schools which attract
thousands Of students.
Art schools and schools Of expression
swell the ranks OF students In Wash
ington Under the broad term express
sion are claBsed various kinds including
public speaking. grace and motion
taught by physical education, and
music.
Authorities who know their school
books aver that the City OF Washington
itself IL an inspiration To education,
The lack OF the hustle and hustle Of 4
commercial city. the kinds OF work car
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way IN which 1t functions all encour-
age study.
Psychologists stress the Importance
| OF environment IN the shaping Of lives.
Thus the beauty and the history and
the functions Of the Nations Capital
are an asset 10 the student during
those ifnpressionabe years when his
mind Ii open and seeking,
The work accomplished In any one OF
the Government departments Ia a liber-
| al education In itself Research and ex.
periinents are carried on by the Bureau
OF Standards In physics and chemistry.
| The functions OF the state Department
| are lessons In International relations.
foreign languages and governments Out
al Ct, Elizabeths Hospital work IL be-
Ing done by aiienists that attracts the
attention OF those interested In mental
arrangements. The economies OF rural
life and methods Of making the soil pro-
dnGtive concern that superlative school
of agriculture, the department bearing
that name,
Government Laboratories.
/, so on through oil the bureaus and
divisions 0f The Government might at
| tsniinn bo called TO research end In =
yegtigati0n. La tile personnel of the
government are scientists of the highest
rank and great renown They are ever
studying and pursuing knowledge Great
Numbers Of minor employees are not only
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