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under the immediate direction of the High School principal," and several sets of plans offered, we employed an expert, a professional
<br /> says : architect who had no interest in the matter.
<br /> '.From an adminstrative point of view, the six High School grades should The preliminary plans selected have, after further study by
<br /> eventually be in one building. As far as statistics are accessible on this point, the their makers and some changes introduced in order to fit more
<br /> C experiment of placing these grades in the High School building has been success- perfectly the needs of the situation, been re-drawn to the full
<br /> ful, resulting in better scholarship and a greater percentage in the number of
<br /> students entering the ninth grade. The gradual change to this system would scale commonly prepared for builders, and process reproductions,
<br /> probably lead to the establishment of a larger number of less expensive High on a reduced scale, are printed herewith. The originals are ready
<br /> Schools, thus placing the 'People's college' nearer their homes without addl- for use if they are found acceptable .to, and are desired by, the
<br /> tional expense to the taxpayer, but with a saving in money and strength to town.
<br /> students attending the High School.
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<br /> The Committee says further that by the proposed change the THE BUILDING RECOMMENDED.
<br /> students of.the two upper grammar grades I
<br /> "would gradually gain the inspiration of the High School life, and the desire to With the sketch and diagrams here printed, the proposed
<br /> go farther in the languages and sciences which they have already begun under building will, we think, speak clearly for itself, leaving little in the
<br /> favorable conditions. The result would doubtless be a more closely articulated way of verbal description necessary. To the committee it seems
<br /> system, with a larger percentage of High School graduates." that the architects, stimulated to the utmost of their skill by the
<br /> This view has the approval of our own State Board of Educa- reflection that"its product may be seen by the thousands who pass
<br /> tion, and the tendency observable today in Massachusetts is in to and fro along Massachusetts'Ave,nue in this historic town, have
<br /> accordance with it. In Arlington, the new High School house, produced a building remarkable for the simple and chaste beauty
<br /> built only a few years ago, contains the highest grade of the of its exterior. It is well =calculated, we believe, to meet the re
<br /> Grammar Schools, and probably would have the eighth as well, if quireriient which has many times been urged upon the committee,
<br /> there were room. Many towns could be cited which have adopted namely, a building which shall be an ornament to the town. Of a
<br /> the same idea. I distinctly colonial appearance, and resembling, as it does, an
<br /> f Your committee, after reaching the conclusion above expressed entrance which,clearly suggests, if it does not preserve, the pillared
<br /> and deciding upon the extent of accommodations which it seemed N front of the old building, the proposed structure seems particularly
<br /> best to provide, invited competition from several architects in the appropriate for the conspicuous site on which it is intended to j
<br /> preparation of preliminary plans, each set to be accompanied by a place it.
<br /> sketch or perspective view of the building proposed, and by an It will be seen that while a pleasing architectural effect has +
<br /> estimate of the cost of construction. Eight different ones accepted been sought for, the aim has been regulated by considerations of
<br /> the-invitation and submitted plans and sketches in accordance economy. The plan calls for a rectangular building, without wings,
<br /> therewith. In order to insure a collection of plans, every set of bays, or.projections or other costly features. It measures 67 x 124
<br /> which should offer a building exhibiting room and facilities adapted feet, and has an area of about 8,300 feet.
<br /> as nearly a possible,-to our needs, we drew up some general specifi- It is proposed to build it of plain, pale,red brick, of ordinary
<br /> cations prescribing the number of full-sized class rooms (six) and size, known as old Colonial or Harvard brick, the roof balustrade,
<br /> the number of half-size rooms (two), the latter available for recita- however, the cornice, and the columns to be of wood painted
<br /> tion purposes, or, in the alternative, for seating the smaller high white. The use of wood in these ornamental features will, of
<br /> school classes, juniors and seniors, and prescribing also the extent course, be much less expensive than metal and stone, and the less u
<br /> of space requisite for laboratory arrangements and some other main costly material may well enough, we, think, be employed. Granite
<br /> points. In this work we were aided not only by the examination front steps and buttresses, a line of granite in the underpinning
<br /> previously made of buildings erected and in use but b a stud of
<br /> P Y g � Y Y next above the basement wall, a water-table of Ohio, or Indiana
<br /> plans of buildings that the committee were unable to visit. limestone, and a slate roof are'other features.
<br /> To assist us in passing upon the merits and defects of the The six full-sized rooms'are each 23 x 35 feet; those marked
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