1863-1864 School Committee Report

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1 8 the pupils. During the last term, two papers or literary journals have been edited by selected pupils, and filled with original compositions by present and past members of the school. At the end of the year, in addition to the day usually given to examination, a half-day was assigned for closing - exercises by the graduating class. These exercises were listened to, by a large audience, with profound interest. Twelve pupils received diplomas, certifying to their fulfil- ment of the course prescribed for the school. Miss MARION A. FISK, a member of this class, died early in the last term : the first instance of the kind, so far as now remembered, during the existence of the school. We call attention to what we believe to be the unprece- dented rate of average attendance during the year, — very near ninety-nine per cent in the spring term, ninety-nine and three-fifths per cent in the fall term, and ninety-six and two-thirds per cent in the winter. The record is equally pleasant as an evidence of the zeal and perseve- rance and of the general good health of the pupils. GENERAL REVIEW. The Committee think there is a growing sentiment of unity among the schools ; causing them to think of them- selves as parts of a whole, rather than as wholly independ- ent schools ; producing a mutual interest that is at once friendly and emulous, and giving them. a central object of anticipation and effort in the completion of the course at the High School. This feeling, under wholesome direction, we consider very advantageous. The plan of studies is intended to foster it ; each school being made to think of itself as incomplete by itself, and looking to the next grade as the natural and proper aim of its special hopes and 9 efforts. It is desirable, and intended, that the Grammar Schools shall afford a complete course in those elementary branches which are most essential for the ordinary, practi- cal wants of life ; so that those who are unable to pursue their studies farther shall not fail of that privilege of education which it is the first object of our schools to secure to all. At the same time, we wish to cultivate the ambition which presses forward to a longer and wider course of study, with the generous and wise sentiment which covets knowledge for its own sake, — the same sentiment which makes it the almost universal desire of parents in this land to give their children a good education. We have endeavored to arrange such a course for the Higli School as will give some room for choice, according to the tastes and future plans of the pupils ; and, at the same time, lay the foundation, in a carefully learned elementary knowledge, for the continued progress of the pupils after leaving school, if their inclinations and opportunities allow them to go on with their studies. It is better to have a little well learned, than much so imperfectly mastered as to be easily and soon forgotten, SCHOOL -BOOKS. We have made few changes in school -books ; and, such as have been made, we have tried to effect in such a way as to cause very little, if any, increased expense to the pupils. We know that changes are not always improvements ; but it is as certain that a new interest is sometimes awakened by a change of text -books, which more than compensates for the small cost. It is not in buying new books for chil- dren that the danger of profusion is to be found ; and the apparatus of juvenile instruction is not the spot where economy should begin. 2