Evening star., 1941-03-13
Pupil Distribution
Survey Studied 10
Gauge School Needs
OfficiuIs Seek Formula
Of Building Requirements
From Census in z Areas

School officials are studying CEN
sus surveys made by their own in
vestigators in two fast-groWing
building developments in an effort
to find formula on the distribu-
ton of children in the various edu-
cational levels for use in projecting
expected enrollmentS in other COM
munities.
Most recent of the studies was
completed last week in River Ter
rsce-a community south of Ben
ming road between the AnacoStia
River and Minnesota avenue NE.
Here census OF every home
showed 3l8 children. OF these, 26.7
per cent were of elementary school
age; lot were of junior high age,
and only ST. of senior high age.
The largest single group-446 per
cent of the children-were under
5 years of age or are pre-school
children.
o. Per Cent in Other Schools.
OF the remainder, 76 per cent
were in parochial or private schools
here; 1.6 attended schools out of
town. and no data could be OBJ
tanned in % per cent of the cases.
Schools affected by this are the
present Benning School where a
portable school has just been added
to take care of the crowding and
the proposed new school at Min
nesota avenue and Ely place Sc.
sought in the deficiency bill by the
President.
Pointing to the large percentage F.
of pre-school children who will soon
be demanding elementary school
education, school officials regard it
as convincing proof of the need
for an addition to the Benning and
the proposed new school. First Asst
Supt, Robert L. Haycock said the
development apparently is attracting
newly married families and that this
explains the pre-School figure.
One Child Per Unit.
The development had 16 children
per home where there were children,
the census found But the aver
age was about one child per build
ing unit-that is, including all
homes even where there are no
children.
A similar study was made of Fair
lawn community surrounding the
Anacostia Junior Senior High School
on the basis of school census figures
of last summer.
School officials are giving little
less attention to this survey, how
ever, because it includes only chill
dren between the ages of 3 and II
years. This census also, according
to Mr.. Haycock, includes every home
where there were no children.
OF 787 children. however, the sur
vey showed 35.5 per cent of ele-
menCary age. l78 per cent of junior
high age, ia per cent of senior
high school age, 13 per cent in
parochial schools, 1875 per cent not
in school, 2.5 per cent in out of
town schools and 1.3 per cent no
data.
This reduced to figure of Is
children per family. According to
the census of 1880 the figure was
is in these same areas-the same
figure found applicable now to River
Terrace.
A. ID. A. Projects Not Included.
On this basis, school officials feel
they are justified in assuming one
school child to a family in project
ing enrollments. These figures, Mr..
Haycock pointed out, however, ap-
ply only to the white schools. They
do not, he added, apply to such
developments as are sponsored by
the Alley Dwelling Authority where
the preference is given to families
with children, and, in competing
instances, to the families with the
most children. The A. D. A. has its
own formula and index, he said.
Also concerned in the growth of
the area are the Commissioners. Mr..
Haycock said Engineer Commits
sioner McCoach has made a study
Of the matter on the basis of build
ing permits issued.
Mr.. Haycock disclosed that the
heaviest congestion in the Ana
costia-Benning area is in the vicin-
ity of Minnesota avenue and East
Capitol street. The second most
congested spot is in the vicinity of
Pennsylvania avenue and Alabama
avenue Sc.
The school figures were compiled
by Statistician Boise L. Bristor.