|
F
<br />6
<br />It was an essential part of this reform to diminish the
<br />number of classes ; which would be effected by admitting
<br />pupils but once a year, instead of twice or oftener, as be-
<br />fore, — those entering at the beginning of each year to
<br />form a class, and to be kept together. It was accordingly
<br />announced at the beginning of the year, that no new class
<br />would be admitted till the beginning of another year ; and,
<br />to the class then admitted, a definite course of study for the
<br />year was assigned. It was not found practicable to arrange
<br />into exact classes the pupils previously belonging, on account
<br />of the irregular way in which their studies had been pur-
<br />sued ; but, as far as it was found possible, they were divided
<br />into two classes, and a plan of studies for the year assigned
<br />to each.
<br />Thus was arranged a course of studies for three years.
<br />Under this arrangement, each class, at the end of the
<br />year, will find that year's work completed, and a definite
<br />. work for the next ready for them. It is not assumed that
<br />the course, as thus prepared, is perfect : changes that may
<br />be suggested by the actual trial of it will be from time to
<br />•
<br />time made. But it is confidently expected that a course
<br />not materially different will be finally adopted ; and the
<br />members of the school, at the end of three years, will have
<br />attained all that is usually included in a common -school
<br />education, and be prepared to enter on a business career,
<br />or to take charge of any of our ordinary public grammar
<br />schools.
<br />AN ADVANCED CLASS.
<br />The number of pupils prepared for the High School is
<br />such, that three of the annual classes will form as large a
<br />school as can well be taught by one person. Thus, if the
<br />classes average twenty each, three will make a school of
<br />sixty pupils. Again : if it is assumed that each class should
<br />have four studies, — and this, reading being included, is
<br />not thought too many, — this makes twelve recitations each
<br />7
<br />day, besides occasional exercises; allowing quite little time
<br />enough for classes of such size. Again : assuming that the
<br />pupils will average thirteen years of age at entering, — and
<br />this is less, rather than more, than the actual average, —
<br />three years bring them to that age at which many are of
<br />necessity withdrawn from school to engage in preparation
<br />for the active work of life. These reasons led the Committee
<br />to think three years the proper term for which to arrange a
<br />regular course.
<br />It is not their purpose or wish, however, to exclude any
<br />pupils, who desire to pursue a longer course, from doing so,
<br />under such limitations as may appear necessary. No better
<br />plan has occurred to thq Committee than that of appointing
<br />a suitable number of those thus continuing for a longer
<br />time in the school, regular assistants in assigned branches ;
<br />selecting those who have established the most exemplary
<br />character for learning and deportment in the previous
<br />course. If, as is likely to be the case, most of the mem-
<br />bers of the advanced class are intending to teach•, no better
<br />culture could be offered them than this exercise in giving
<br />instruction. Even if they do not expect to be teachers, it
<br />still remains true, that in no other way so well as by
<br />this could they give certainty and clearness to their own
<br />knowledge. Such arrangements will be made as will insure
<br />the supervision of the principal over the studies of the class
<br />thus intrusted in part to the assistant pupils.
<br />It has not been thought best to mark out a strictly defined
<br />course of study for the advanced class, but to leave it to the
<br />discretion of teacher and pupils, either to go on in studies
<br />previously begun, or to select from other branches usually
<br />included in an academic education.
<br />STANDARD OF ADMISSION.
<br />One of the best evidences of the animating influence
<br />of the High School upon the other schools is seen in the
<br />increasing number and decreasing age of the classes annually
<br />
|