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<br />applying for admission, and found on examination to be well
<br />prepared. The class admitted a year ago numbered twenty,
<br />and was more numerous than those of previous years.
<br />Tliis year, thirty presented themselves ; and, after a careful
<br />examination, twenty-four were admitted. At the time of
<br />writing, it is known that five pupils, who for various reasons
<br />were not present at the regular examination, wish to be
<br />examined for admission. Allowing the same proportion
<br />of these to be found prepared, the class of new pupils will
<br />number twenty-eight, — more than the whole number in the
<br />High School three years and a half ago. This is not due
<br />to any lowering of the standard of admission : but it indi-
<br />cates clearly the fact, that the prosp ct of admission to the
<br />Higlr School operates as a stimulus upon the pupils of
<br />the other schools ; and as clearly it suggests the propriety,
<br />and even necessity, of advancing somewhat the standard
<br />of admission. It is thought desirable, that those entering
<br />the High School should, on the average, be at least in thgir
<br />fourteenth' year.
<br />Under these circumstances, the Committee have decided
<br />to require applicants hereafter to be examined as far
<br />as to " Involution " in Eaton's Arithmetic ; and to make, as
<br />nearly as possible, an equal advance in the requirements
<br />-in Geography and Grammar, with the addition, probably,
<br />of some knowledge of the history of our own country.
<br />It is not improbable that still farther advances will be
<br />made heroafter, as circumstances may show it to be advisa-
<br />ble, until the Grammar -school course shall cover the whole
<br />of Arithmetic, and such attainments in other respects as
<br />will constitute a complete elementary education.
<br />RELATION TO THE OTHER SCHOOLS.
<br />Has the High School had a depressing influence on the
<br />other schools ? ghat its influence has been as to industry
<br />and interest in the preparatory studies, the facts already
<br />stated show. Up to a certain point, there is no doubt it
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<br />has had the 'effect of stimulating the pupils of the other
<br />schools to greater diligence, and, consequently, to more
<br />rapid progress. On the other hand, it has diminished the
<br />numbers in the other schools who are engaged in the higher
<br />branches. The very purpose of the High School is to gather
<br />the most advanced pupils from their little groups of two,
<br />three, or more, in the several schools ; and, by placing them
<br />together, to give them a better opportunity to pursue their
<br />advanced studies. That no injustice has been done, is
<br />evident from the simple fact, that no pupils have ever been
<br />compelled to enter the High School by the authority of the
<br />Committee : on the contrary, the difficulty has been to per-
<br />suade them to stay in the grammar schools until thoroughly
<br />fitted. Parents have exercised their right of selecting,
<br />among the schools supported by the town, that one where
<br />they thought their children would enjoy the best opportuni-
<br />ties. It would surely be a strange argument to bring against
<br />the High School, that it has so perfectly accomplished the
<br />end for which it was established ; but it is evident, that,
<br />if the more advanced pupils prefer to be in the High School,
<br />they cannot at the same time be in the grammar schools.
<br />It is, now as always, for the parents to decide whether they
<br />will continue their children at the High School, or distribute
<br />them among the different schools, either to gratify a feeling
<br />of local pride or for other reasons.
<br />As has been observed, the Committee have not prevented
<br />any pupils from remaining in the grammar schools. They
<br />have their own perfectly decided views as to what is expe-
<br />dient both for individuals and for the town ; namely, that
<br />all pupils should enter the High School as soon as their
<br />acquirements are sufficient. They believe, that, to have this,
<br />the uniform practice would subserve the real interests of the
<br />grammar schools, by giving a definite aim to their studies.
<br />They have deferred to the feelings of those, who, because
<br />of their distance from the Town Hall or for other reasons,
<br />have preferred to retain their children in the grammar
<br />schools ; but it is evident that every pupil thus using the
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