L 19b ,P5 B5 J1847 Copy 1 REPORTS COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROLLERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, op THE iFfnrt School mntxitt of ^tmsgUmnfcr, ON THE CONDITION OF THE SEVERAL SCHOOLS IN THE FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH & ELEVENTH SCHOOL SECTIONS. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF CONTROLLERS. PHILADE Crissy & Marklev, Printers, No. 4 Minor Street. 1847. 5iS33»5V |ns^s^» REPORTS COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF CONTROLLERS OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, jFfrst School mtatvitt of Jletwsaltoante, CONDITION OF THE SEVERAL SCHOOLS '> FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND ELEVENTH SCHOOL SECTIONS. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF CONTROLLERS. PHILADE CRISSY & MARKLEY, PRINTERS, NO. 4 MINOR STREET. 1847. o REPORT At a Meeting of the Board of Controllers of Public Schools, of the First School District of Pennsylvania, held on Tuesday, January 12th, 1847, the following report was read and adopted : To the Board of Controllers : The Committee appointed on the 29th of July last, " To visit the Fifth Section, and to examine and report to the Board whether a more perfect organization of the several schools in the Section cannot be effected, with special reference to their consolidation, and a reduction of the expenses," Respectfully submit the following report : That the several schools in the four Townships of Oxford, Lower Dublin, Byberry and Moreland, which comprises the Section, and which comprehends one third of the territorial limits of the First School District, have all been visited and examined by the Committee, except two small schools in the Township of Oxford. A Map of these Townships accompanies this report, on which the position of the several school houses is distinctly marked and numbered, and to which the Committee beg reference. No. 1 Is the Grammar School at Frankford, in which the Committee found 88 pupils in attendance in the Boys' School; 90 in the Girls', and 220 in the Secondary or Primary School. The Boys' School is under the care of William H. Wood as Principal, and Rebecca S. Rose as Assistant. Ann E. Algeo had charge of the Girls' Grammar as Principal, with Mary J. Roberts as Assistant, and the Secondary was conducted by Mary A. Stratton as Principal, with Elizabeth Bird, and Sarah T. Durns as assistants. These scho6ls appeared to be well conducted, and in good order; the only subject of regret, was the infrequent visitation and examination by the local direc- tors. No. 2 Is a very small Unclassified School at Cedar Grove. The absence of the Teacher enabled the Committee only to examine the house, or rather room, which is in the basement of a dwelling house, situated about two miles west of Frankford, on the margin of a mill pond; small, badly furnished, ill venti- lated, and quite unsuited to the purposes of education. The Committee recommend that this school be discontinued. No. 3 Is a school called the Washington School, situated in the western part of Oxford Township, near Oxford Church. In this School the Committee found 34 pupils, Boys and Girls; and they recommend that it should hereafter constitute a Pri- mary School, under the care of a Female Teacher. No. 4 Is the school, — or rather schools, — for there are two ; taught in separate buildings, situated near the Fox Chase Vil- lage. One is an Unclassified School with 35 pupils of both sexes ; William M. Buckman, Teacher ; the other, the Primary, taught by Kitty Ann Wright, with 54. The number of pupils in both these schools (as indeed in all the schools in the section) is largely augmented during the winter season. Increased accom- modation is evidently needed here, and the Committee recom- mend an early appropriation for the erection of a suitable School House, at a place called Livezly Town, situated about half a mile from the present location, which would accommodate a larger number of children, and enable the Board to dispense with Nos. 3 and 5. No. 5 Is the "Upper Oxford School," situated near the Wheat Sheaf Tavern, on the Bustleton Turnpike road. The larger and more advanced pupils in this school, could readily go to the Grammar Schools at Frankford, Bustleton, or Holmes- burg; and the Committee recommend that this should hereafter constitute a Primary School, to be conducted by a competent Female Teacher. The Committee may also recommend that the accomplished Teacher, — William Stephens — a graduate of the High School, recently placed in this school, should find a place in any vacancy that may occur in one of our Grammar Schools. No. 6 Is quite a small Unclassified School, situated on the Frankford and Bristol Turnpike Road, about equi-distant from the former and Holmesburg. The Committee think that this school can be dispensed with, and accordingly recommend its discontinuance. No. 7 Is the New Grammar School, just completed, at Holmes- burg. Humphry I. Waterman, is Principal of the Boys' School and Sarah Shade, Assistant — Elizabeth Spencer has charge of the Girls' School, and Catharine S. Bailey conducts the Pri- mary, with Annie Clift as Assistant. The schools were opened for the reception of pupils on the visit of the Committee. They found in attendance 52 pupils in the Boys' School ; 47 in the Girls', and about one hundred in the Secondary *or Primary School. The number of pupils in each of these schools will 6 soon be largely increased. The Committee cannot but express the satisfaction they felt in visiting this neat and commodious School House, and they indulge the hope that it may be duly appreciated by the community for whose benefit and welfare it has been erected. No. 8 Is the Grammar School at Lower Dublin Academy. James W. Wheatland has charge of the Boys' School ; Miriam Comfort the Girls', and Catharine M. Enoch, the Primary. This is a well conducted school ; the discipline well maintained, and the state of improvement, especially in the Boys' school, quite satisfactory. There were 41 in attendance in the Boys' school, 33 in the Girls', and 37 in the Primary. The number of pupils will be considerably augmented in the course of a few weeks. No. 9 Is the Grammar School at Bustleton. Charles Hoag is the Principal of the Boys' School — Catharine M. Wright has charge of the Girls' ; — and Kate Miles the Primary. The state and condition of this School House has frequently been brought to the notice of the Board of Control, who appropriated, about a year ago, the sum of a thousand dollars for its repair. The dilapidated state of the house has prevented the Directors from making any expenditure, under the full belief that the true economy was to erect at once, a new and suitable building. The premises are now vested in Trustees, who have leased the same to the Board of Control for ten years without rent, provided suitable repairs were made. Believing that this building is en- tirely unfit for repair, your Committee unhesitatingly recom- mend an early appropriation for the erection of a new School House, provided the Trustees will convey the whole property to the Controllers in fee, or lease it for ninety-nine years. The attendance is now 56 Boys in the Grammar School and about GO Girls, whilst 120 children are crowded into a low, dark, damp, ill furnished and unhealthy room, in the basement ; many- parents keeping their children at home, or obliged to send them to private schools for the want of suitable accommodation here. No. 10 Are the schools at Byberry Meeting House. In the Unclassified Boys' and Girls' School, taught by James Ivins, the Committee found 31 pupils in attendance, a considerable num- ber of whom were coloured children. In the Primary School, taught by Jane Hillborn, in a small room in the second story of the building, they found about 20 scholars, several of whom were coloured. These schools, it is necessary to remark, are not under the ex- clusive jurisdiction of the Directors of Public Schools of By- berry Township. The Monthly Meeting of Friends of By- berry, to which the school house belongs, has long maintained these schools; and its Committee has elected the Teachers, prescribed the admission of pupils, and the general manage- ment of the schools.- A portion of the salaries of the teachers, books, stationery, fuel, and some incidental expenses are, and for some years have been, paid by the Board of Control. The local Board have been constrained to adopt this course, as the best in their option, because there is no other suitable house in the neighbourhood. To obviate the difficulties which necessarily flow from this conflicting jurisdiction, the Committee earnestly recommend the erection of small school houses in suitable parts of this Township. The necessity of this measure will be more apparent when the state and condition'of the other schools are described. This will not occasion a large expenditure. From the information derived by the Committee in the full and frank in- terviews with the intelligent gentlemen from Byberry, an ap- propriation of three thousand dollars will be a sum sufficient 8 to buy the land, erect the buildings, and furnish three school houses, amply sufficient for the accommodation of the children of this, (Byberry) and Moreland Townships. No. 11 Is quite a small Unclassified School, situated at a lit- tle place called Mechanicsville, on the line of Bucks county, about a mile north of No. 10, in which the Committee found 15 children in attendance. They recommend the discontinuance of this school. No. 12 Is called the Walnut Hill School, situated about a mile west of Byberry Meeting House Schools, (No. 10). This school also belongs to the Society of Friends, and is partially under the jurisdiction of the Monthly Meeting's Committee. This is a well conducted school, under the care of Maria Houston, containing about 40 pupils, of both sexes. The house is capable of accommodating about 50 scholars. Several of the pupils here, are from the adjoining county of Bucks. One of the three school houses alluded to, it is contemplated to erect near this place. No. 13 Is an Unclassified, but quite an interesting and well conducted school at Smithfield, under the care of William Cameron, a competent Teacher. Here the Committee found about 60 pupils of both sexes in attendance. The school house belongs to certain Trustees, who have always exercised a juris- diction independent of that of the local school Board. One of the houses recommended in this report, it is contemplated to erect at or near this place. No. 14 Is a very small Unclassified School, at a place called Pleasantville, situated on the line of Bucks county, about three- fourths of a mile from No. 13. Here the Committee counted 14 children in attendance, several of whom were coloured. This school the Committee recommend should be discontinued. 9 No. 15 Is the Moreland School, sometimes called Tillyer's, situated near the Bustleton Turnpike Road, midway from Smith- field and Bustleton, about one and a half miles from each place, under the care of William A. Murray. This house was re- cently erected by the Board of Control, at a cost of about $850. It is a neat school house, capable of accommodating about 50 pupils, but the Committee regretted to find only 16 scholars in attendance. No. 16 Is quite a small school, situated at a place called Knightsville, about one mile east of No. 15, taught in a dilapi- dated shanty, in which the Committee found 14 children of both sexes in attendance. The discontinuance of this school is also recommended. No. 17 Is a small Unclassified School, situated at a place known as Powell Town, about two miles north of the Grammar School at Lower Dublin, and about the same distance south from the place where it is contemplated to erect one of the school houses recommended by the Committee. In this school the Committee found but 15 children in attendance, and although the number of pupils is augmented during the winter season, they think it can be dispensed with, and therefore recommend its discontinuance. The Committee have thus endeavored to present to the Board a brief statement of all the schools under its care in the Section, except the school for coloured children at Frankford. The first and most pressing difficulty is the want of good and properly constructed school houses. This it is proposed to remedy, as soon as it is in the power of the Board to do so. The Com- mittee may also remark that the season of the year, at which 10 their visits were made, (the month of October) is one at which there is a less number of children in attendance at the schools in the rural districts, than at any other ; and hence the small number in most of the schools. Great want of attention in visiting and examining the seve- ral schools, is manifestly evident on the part of the Directors of the Section generally. The subject was brought to the notice of the Local Board at an interview the Committee had, and the importance of greater care in this respect was earnestly pressed upon the members of it. The Teachers were also admonished on some subjects of dis- cipline, particularly as to correct registration. This is a matter the Committee deem of great importance, as incorrect and care- less registration is absolutely worse that useless. In the hope that their labor has not been in vain, the Com- mittee conclude their report by respectfully recommending the adoption of the following resolutions : Resolved, That the following schools in the Fifth Section be discontinued, and that the salaries and services of the respective Teachers, cease and determine on the thirty-first day of March next. The School situated at Cedar Grove, in Oxford Township. The School situated on the Frankford Turnpike Road, be- tween that place and Holmesburg, in the same Township. The School situated at Mechanicsville, in Byberry Township. The School situated at Pleasantville, in Byberry Township. The School situated at Knightsville, in Byberry Township. The School situated at Powell Town, in Moreland Township. 11 Resolved, That from and after the thirty-first day of March next, the schools called the Washington School, near Oxford Church, and that known as Oxford Upper School, be constituted Primary Schools, each to be conducted by a competent Female Teacher, at a salary of two hundred dollars respectively. Resolved, That an appropriation of three thousand dollars, in addition to the sum already appropriated, be made to the Fifth Section, when the funds of the Controllers will admit of it, for the purpose of erecting a suitable school house at Bustleton, pro- vided the Trustees of Bustleton Academy convey the said Academy and premises to the Board of Control in fee simple — or lease the same for a period of ninety-nine years ; and pro- vided also, that the whole expense of the same, including fur- niture, fencing, grading, &c, does not exceed the sum so appro- priated. Resolved, That the sum of three thousand dollars be appro- priated to the Fifth Section for the purpose of erecting three school houses in Byberry Township, as recommended in this report. EEPOET. At a Meeting of the Board of Controllers of Public Schools, of the First School District of Pennsylvania, held on Tuesday, April 13th, 1847, the following report was read and adopted : To the Board of Controllers: The Committee appointed to " visit and examine the several Schools in the Fifth, Sixth, and Eleventh Sections, and re- port to the Board of Controllers whether a more perfect orga- nization cannot be effected, with special reference to their con- solidation, and a reduction in the expenses," Respectfully sub- mit the following Report of the state and condition of the schools in the Sixth, and Eleventh Sections ; the schools in those Sections respectively, having been severally visited and examin- ed by the Committee. And having first visited the Eleventh Section, they proceed to report upon the state and condition of the schools in it. No. 1 is an Unclassified School, conducted by Joseph H. Schreiner, an intelligent Teacher, in a building or shed attached to a Hotel situated at the corner of the Ridge Road and Wash- ington lane, about a mile above the Girard College. Thirty- eight Boys and thirty-four Girls were in attendance. Good order appeared to be maintained, and the school well conducted. 14 No. 2 Is an Unclassified School under the care of George W. B. Felton, in the basement of a building used as a Church, situated at Morris city, near the Spring Garden Basin. The school room and furniture were found to be greatly out of re- pair, and a small appropriation for the purpose of fitting it up being much needed, is accordingly recommended. No. 3 and No. 4 Are the Schools in Cohocksink village, in Seventh near Camac street, in a building recently purchased from the County Commissioners by the Controllers. Two rooms have recently been fitted up, and partially furnished. In one is the Boys' school, under the care of Charles Bowman, in which the Committee found 104 pupils in attendance. The necessity for an Assistant Teacher was so apparent, that an immediate appointment of one was recommended to the local Directors, and an assistant is now placed there. The Girls' School, in an adjoining room, is under the care of Loraine Bradbury. In it the Committee found 110 children registered, and 84 in attendance. A small appropriation is needed for new furniture, and fitting up, and is accordingly recommended. The appointment of an Assistant Teacher is also recommended, so soon as the requisite average is obtained. The discipline of these Schools, and the progress of the pupils, was satisfactory to the Committee. No. 5. In a building on Broad street, near the Germantown road, two schools are conducted. That on the first floor was under the care of William W. Stratton, in which the Committee found but 34 children in attendance. In the basement, under the charge of Jane Bender, there were only 23 present. This lower room was dark, damp and dirty, and as one Teacher in 15 the upper room can readily attend to all the children, the Com- mittee believe that the school conducted in the lower story can be dispensed with, and accordingly recommend its discontinu- ance. No. 6 Is the school at Rising Sun village, under the care of Adam Schank, conducted in the lower story of a building rented by the Directors, in which the Committee found 46 children in attendance. In the upper room there was present 30 children, under the charge of Mary L. De Porras. This building is within a short half mile of the new building at Nicetown, the upper room of which, already finished and furnished, is entirely vacant. The Committee therefore recommend the discontinu- ance of Mr. Schank's school, — that a Primary School be con- ducted in the lower story of this building, and that an Unclassi- fied School, under the care of a Male Teacher, be established at Nicetown. No. 7 Is the school in the same village, near the one above described, under the care of Susan Passmore. This school the Committee recommend be constituted a Primary School, and that the salary should not exceed two hundred dollars per annum. No. 8 Is the school at Nicetown. Miss McCollin, the Prin- cipal, has recently resigned her situation, and Caroline E. Weeks, the Assistant Teacher, the Committee found was conducting the school. There were 46 pupils in attendance, whilst ample accommodation has been made for 200. The Committee re- commend the appointment of a Male Teacher, at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum, and that the larger pupils in the two schools at Rising Sun village should be accommodated here. 16 No. 9 Is the school house at the Falls of Schuylkill, in which are two schools, one under the care of Morgan J. Thomas, and the Primary in charge of Miss Jane Gray. 108 pupils were registered here, and 87 were found to be in attendance. No. 10 Comprehends the several Schools now conducted in the new school house recently erected at Port Richmond. In the upper story is the Boys' and Girls' Grammar School, un- der the care of Samuel A. Hibbs, as Principal, with H. E. Mather as Assistant. In this school 80 Boys and 36 Girls were registered, and about 100 present. On the second floor is a Secondary School, consisting of Boys and Girls; of which 110 were present, under the charge of E. B. Bond as Principal, and M. E. Wharton as Assistant. In the Primary, conducted on the lower floor by Mary E. Abbet as Principal, and E. Campbell and E. Hood as As- sistants, 202 children were registered, and 180 were in at- tendance. It will thus be perceived that nearly 400 children are already in attendance at this place, and such is the rapid increase of this great depot, that the several schools will soon be filled. It was very gratifying to the Committee to wit- ness the good order maintained here, and the progress and pro- ficiency of the pupils. These schools are conferring lasting benefits upon the community in which they are placed, and in view of the arduous duties of the Teachers, the Committee are of opinion that they should be placed on the same footing, as regards compensation, as the other Grammar Schools in the outer districts. No. 11 Is a small Unclassified School conducted by Josiah Kerper, in a building situated on Hart lane, between the Front 17 and Second street roads. Here the Committee found 42 Boys and 36* Girls in attendance. No. 12 Embraces the schools at Bridesburg; and excellent and well conducted schools the Committee found them. They are now established in a building rented to the Board by the County Commissioners, but which is, or is about to be, sold. Although altered and fitted up for the purpose by the local Directors, the house is too small, and too illy adapted for school purposes to accommodate the large and increasing population of this thriving neighbourhood; a new and suitable house is therefore needed, and an appropriation for that purpose is ac- cordingly recommended. The Unclassified School is under the charge of William E. Cheston, and the Primary under that of Mary Curtis, both of whom are competent Teachers. No. 13 Is a building belonging to the Controllers, situated on the Frankford Turnpike, about three-fourths of a mile from the Grammar School in that Borough, and known as the " Bar- ton School." In it, two schools are taught; one, on the lower floor, by William F. Page; in which the Committee found but 25 children. The one in the upper room by Miss E. L. Buckius. The Committee are of opinion that but one school is needed here, there not being a sufficient number of scholars to maintain two, and they accordingly recommend that the school under the care of Miss Emma L. Buckius be discontinued. No. 14 Is the new School House recently erected by the Board of Controllers, near the corner of Eleventh and Thompson streets, in the flourishing and rapidly improving Dis- trict of South Penn. This House was opened on the 10th of May, 1847, and the Committee found in the unclassified School 119 18 pupils — namely 61 Boys and 58 Girls, under the care of Joseph H. Schreiner as Principal and Mary Ealer, as assistant, (Mr. Schreiner has been removed from No. 1, and Mr. James Leo- nard, from Hestonville, elected to that School in his place.) The Directors contemplate opening the Primary School in the lower story of this House on the 24th of May. The School Furni- ture not having been in readiness. These comprise all the schools in the Eleventh Section. The memorial from the Directors of this Section to the Board of Controllers for "the erection of a new school house in a central part of North Penn Township," having been referred to your Committee, they have visited the scite on which it was contem- plated to erect it, and have given to the subject an attentive consideration. They are of opinion that it is inexpedient at present to grant an appropriation, and accordingly recommend that course. THE SCHOOLS IN THE SIXTH SECTION. No. 1. The Grammar School at Germantown, known as the "Rittenhouse School." The Boys' School is under the care of Charles S. Wilson, with one Female Assistant. In this school the Committee found 85 Boys registered, and 56 in at- tendance. They think that the salary of the Assistant Teacher should be reduced to two hundred dollars per annum, and ac- cordingly submit a resolution to that effect. In the Girls' School, to the charge of which Miss Eliza Chapin, the assistant in the Boys' School, has just been appointed, the Committee found but 47 pupils in attendance, wilh an average not greatly exceeding that number. The Committee think, in view of this sparse attendance, the salary of the Principal should be re- duced to three hundred dollars per annum, and submit a reso- lution in accordance. 19 In the Primary School under the charge of Maria McClelland, with two assistants, 180 children were registered, and 165 were present. No. 2 Is the Grammar School at Manayunk, in the new and commodious house recently erected. The Boys' School is under the care of William P. Hodgson, with Sarah B. Coffin as Assistant. Angelina E. Thomas is the Principal of the Girls' School, with A. Jones and K. Stewart as Assistants. These schools are augmenting in number of pupils, and are well managed, under competent Teachers. The Primary, which is a very large school, having upwards of 250 children in attend- ance, is a well conducted school under the management of Ann W. Chapin as Principal, and three Assistants, namely, A. A. Scheetz, E. H. Boyd, and S. E. Alexander. No. 3 Is a small Primary, known as the Manheim Street School. In it the Committee found 52 children in attendance, under the care of Margaret C. Prevost. New furniture is much needed here, and the Local Directors were requested by the Committee to procure it. No. 4 Is a building situated on Allen's Lane, near Mount Airy, belonging to certain Trustees, who have agreed to convey it and the eligible lot on which it is erected, containing about half an acre, to the Board of Controllers, provided an appropriation of fifteen hundred dollars is made for the erection of a new house. After an examination of the premises, the Committee are satis- fied that the expenditure of a much smaller sum would render the substantial building now in use, sufficient for the wants of the neighbourhood for some years to come. The subject is there- fore recommended to the careful attention of the Local Board. 20 There are two well conducted schools maintained here. On the lower floor the Committee found 45 pupils, Boys and Girls, un- der the care of James Otterson. In the upper room is the Primary, with 71 children, managed by Tacy Y. Heacock. No. 5 Is a small Primary, called the Franklinville School, conducted by Ann Hesser, in the Franklin Engine House, on the Main street of Germantown. The Committee found 53 children in attendance. No. 6 Is the new school house at Chestnut Hill, into which the schools known as "Harmony," "Upper Harmony," and " Lower Harmony," (and in all of which the Committee found about 150 children in attendance,) were about to be removed. No. 7 Is the school situated at Milestown, conducted by Henry P. Burchall, in which the Committee found 53 pupils in attendance. The building and lot, which is well located, be- longs to Trustees, from whom it is rented by the Board, and with a very moderate expenditure could be rendered sufficient- ly commodious. A memorial is now before the Controllers for an appropriation for a new school house, but the Committee re- commend fitting up the present building, and furnishing the same in a proper manner. No. 8 Is the Roberts' School in Bristol Township, situated on the Second street Road and Fisher's Lane. This is a small, ill conducted school, which, with the Crescentville School, and with the pupils from that at Cedar Grove, in the Fifth Section, recently discontinued by the Broad of Controllers, could readi- ly be consolidated. The Committee therefore earnestly recom- mend that a suitable central lot should be procured and a huuse 21 erected thereon, sufficient to accommodate the neighbourhoods in which the Roberts', Crescentville and Cedar Grove Schools are situated, and that the two former, as has the latter, should be discontinued. No. 9, The Morton School, is a new building situated in Bris- tol Township, on a road leading to Branchtown. In it an Un- classified School is conducted by Miss Esther Megarge; 35 children were in attendance here, and the Committee were pleased with the appearance of this school. No. 10 Is a new school house just completed at Roxborough, intended to embrace the pupils of the " Yellow School," and the Roxborough Central, and some of the pupils of the Union and Roxborough Schools. No. 12 Is a building known as the Roxborough School, erect- ed for school purposes, and held by certain Trustees, who rent it to the Local Board. The Committee are of opinion that Primary School is sufficient for the wants of this neighborhood, and that " No. 18'" of the Annual Report, known as the Rox- borough Primary School, could be accommodated in it, and that school discontinued. They accordingly submit a resolution to that effect. No. 13, The Union Schools, in the basement of the Lutheran Church in Roxborough. These schools the Committee believe can be readily consolidated and managed by one Teacher, and accordingly recommend the discontinuance of the school now under the care of Miss Margaret M. Morrison. No. 14 Is a large Primary School, situated at Manayunk, on the Main street, under the care of Sarah Spencer as Prin- 22 cipal, with Mary C. Young as Assistant. Here the Committee found upwards of 100 children in attendance, and the school well conducted. No. 15 Is a Primary, known as the " Block School," also situated in Manayunk. There were about 50 children in atten- dance here, under the charge of Sarah J. Algeo, who ap- peared to be fully competent thereto. The condition of the furniture, &c, in this school, was brought to the notice of the Local Directors. No. 10 Is a building erected for school purposes, and held by certain Trustees, situated at a little place on the Wissahiccon Creek, called Rittenhouse Town. Here the Committee found 35 scholars, Boys and Girls, present. The Teacher, David F. Drew, has been but a short time in charge of the school. The Committee hope that further experience will render his services more effective. No. 17 Is a neat and commodious school house recently erected at Rowlandville, near Frankford, in Bristol Township; by the public spirit of the neighborhood, chiefly by the liberality of the Messrs. Rowland. In finishing and furnishing this taste- ful house, which is really a model for rural school houses, a debt of one hundred and sixty dollars has been incurred, to defray which, the aid of the Board of Controllers is invoked, and an appropriation of that amount solicited, for which the Trustees agree to lease the building and premises to the Board of Control, free of rent. The Committee believing it to be for the interest of all to accept the lease on these terms, cordially recommend the appropriation, and submit a resolu- tion to that effect. 23 The Committee conclude their report, which embraces all the schools in the Sixth and Eleventh Sections, by respectfully re- commending the adoption of the following resolutions: Resolved, That an appropriation of one hundred dollars be made to the Eleventh Section, for the purpose of furnishing and fitting up each of the Unclassified Schools at Morris City, and the Girls' School at Cohocksink. Resolved, That from and after the first day of July next, the following Schools be discontinued, namely : The School now conducted in the basement of the building on Broad street near the Germantown Road, in the Eleventh Section. The Unclassified School, now under care of Mr. Schank, in the Rising Sun Village, in the same section. The School now conducted by Miss E. L. Buckius, in the upper room of the building known as the " Barton School," in the same Section. The Roberts' School, on the- Second street Road, in Bristol Township, in the Sixth Section. The Crescentville School, in the same Section. The School known as the Roxborough School, now conducted by Edward Poole, in the same Section. The School now under the care of Margaret Morrison, in the basement of the Church at Roxborough, in the same Section. The School known as the Roxborough Primary School, in the same Section. Resolved, That a Male Teacher, at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum, be recommended to the Eleventh Section for the Nicetown School. 24 Resolved, That the salaries to be paid to the several Teachers in the schools at Port Richmond be fixed at the same rate as those paid to the Teachers of the Grammar Schools at Frankford, Holmesburg, Germantown, and Bustleton. Resolved, That the sum of three thousand dollars be appro- priated to the Eleventh Section, for the purpose of procuring a Lot and erecting a new school house at Bridesburg. Resolved, That the sum of two thousand dollars be appro- priated to the Sixth Section, for the purpose of procuring a cen- tral lot and building a house sufficient to accommodate the pu- pils in the schools ordered to be discontinued by this Board, namely : Cedar Grove, in Fifth Section ; and the Roberts' and Crescentville Schools, in the Sixth Section. * Resolved, That the sum of one hundred and sixty dollars be appropriated to the Sixth Section, for the purpose of discharging the debt and liens on the school at Rowlandville, provided the Trustees or owners of that school will lease the same, and pre- mises, to the Board of Controllers for ten years free from rent. Resolved, That the salaries to be hereafter paid to the follow- ing named Teachers, respectively, be fixed as follows, namely : To the Teacher in the Primary School at Rising Sun, two hundred dollars per annum. To the Assistant in the Boys' Grammar School at German- town, two hundred dollars per annum. To the Principal of the Girls' Grammar School at German- town, three hundred dollars per annum. To the Teacher of the Primary School at Roxborough, two hundred dollars per annum. REPORT. At a Meeting of the Board of Controllers of Public Schools, of the First School District of Pennsylvania, held on Tuesday, May 11th, 1847, the following report was read and adopted: To the Board of Controllers: The Committee appointed to visit the outer Sections, having now completed the examination of the several schools in the Seventh and Eighth Sections, respectfully submit the following concluding Report : No. 1. West Philadelphia Grammar Schools. The Boys' Grammar School is under the care of H. R. War- riner, at a salary of six hundred dollars per annum, with Ann H. Hood, as Assistant, at two hundred and twenty-five dollars per annum. In this school the Committee found 83 Boys in at- tendance, 108 were on the roll, and the average attendance was 99. The Principal of this school, has had the charge of it but a short time ; more experience in the school, and a more familiar acquaintance with the pupils, will, it is hoped, present a better result than was exhibited to the Committee. The Girls' Grammar School is in charge of Elizabeth W. Clark as Principal, who receives three hundred dollars per an- 26 num, and Sarah C. Ridgway as Assistant, at two hundred dol- lars per annum. There were 87 scholars present, 123 register- ed, an average attendance of 100. The Secondary School, which afforded the most satisfaction to the Committee, is conducted by Anna W. Goucher, at a sala- ry of two hundred and fifty dollars, and Anna E. Culin to assist her, with one hundred and sixty-five dollars per annum. In it the Committee found 155 children assembled, 184 on roll, and an average of 126. The Committee have to lament the infrequent visitation and examination of these schools by the local Directors; a circum- stance greatly to be regretted, as without constant supervision, all schools are liable to degenerate. No. 2 Is the School for Coloured Children in West Philadel- phia, under the charge of Robert C. H. Jones, a coloured Teacher, whose salary is two hundred dollars per annum. In this school the Committee found 27 children of both sexes pre- sent; 60 on roll, and an average attendance of 35. The house in which the school is conducted, a small one story frame build- ing, affords very scanty accommodation, and an effort to pro- cure a room better adapted to the purpose is recommended to the attention of the Local Board. No. 3 Is a small Unclassified School, situated at " Aston- ville," near the head of the Inclined Plane, on the Columbia Rail Road. Thirty-one children, Boys and Girls, were present, under the care of Elizabeth M. Watson, who receives a salary of two hundred and twenty dollars per annum ; 70 names were on the roll, and the average attendance is about 40. A new 21 school house is now erecting within a few hundred feet of this, on a lot of land recently purchased by the Controllers, which is calculated to be ready for the reception of pupils in a few weeks. The increased facilities for education which will thus be afforded, will have, it is hoped and believed, a favorable in- fluence on the discipline of the school, insure a more regular at- tendance, and promote the progress of the pupils. No. 4 Is also a small Unclassified School, called the " Blockley Union," situated on "Rabbit Lane," near the road leading to West Chester. The Controllers have recently purchased a lot of land near this school house, and are now erecting a substan- tial house, into which the pupils will be removed in the course of a few weeks, when it is hoped a much better school will be maintained. Mary McLaurin has the charge of this school. Her salary is two hundred and twenty dollars per annum ; 42 children were present, 62 registered, and the average attendance was 36. No. 5, In the basement of the Methodist Meeting House in the Village of Haddington, is a small Unclassified School, con- ducted by Sarah E. Capp, whose salary is two hundred and twenty dollars per annum. Here the Committee found 25 children in attendance, 50 on the roll, and an average of 38. The furniture in this school was deemed unsuitable and in bad condition, and the attention of the Local Directors was invited to it. No. 6, In a small room of about fourteen feet square, in the lower story of a dwelling house situated in Mantua Vil- lage ; the Committee found 51 children of both sexes crowded together, under the care of Henry Wynkoop, as Teacher, with 28 a salary of two hundred and twenty dollars per annum. Better accommodation is greatly needed at this place, and the Commit- tee recommend that an appropriation be made for the purchase of a suitable lot, and the erection of a small school house, simi- lar to the one built at Rowlandville, to be placed under the care of a Female Teacher. No. 7 Is the Primary School, situated near Hestonville, in a house belonging to the Controllers ; conducted by Henrietta Houpt, who receives two hundred and twenty dollars per an- num. In it there were in attendance 41 children, 62 registered, and the average was 45. No. 8. The Hestonville Schools. In the Boys' School, which is taught by Lewis L. Houpt, there were present 27 scholars, 52 on roll, and an average at- tendance of about 30. These numbers are augmented during the winter season; and although some attempts have been made at classification, yet it cannot be regarded as a Grammar School. The Committee therefore recommend that the salary of the Teacher, which is now six hundred dollars per annum, be re- duced to the sum paid to Teachers of the same grade of Un- classified Schools in the District, — namely, four hundred dollars per annum, and a resolution in accordance is submitted. The Girls' School, in the lower room of the same building, is conducted by Mary Ann Leonard, who receives a salary of two hundred and sixty dollars per annum. The Committee found 28 pupils present, 41 on the roll, and an average attendance of 38. No. 9 Is the school know as " Upper Kingsessing," an Un- classified School, situated near the Sorrel Horse Tavern, on the 29 Darby Road. In this school the Committee found 52 pupils of both sexes crowded together ; 00 was the registered number, and 47 the average. The moral condition of this school was any thing but satisfactory to the Committee, and in none that has passed under its inspection is greater reform needed than in this. The Committee recommend that a suitable lot should be procured, and a small house similar to that at Rovvlandville be built, so as to accommodate the pupils of this, and those of the one about to be described, and that both should then be dis- continued. Resolutions to that effect are accordingly submitted. No. 10 Is a small Unclassified School, situated on the same road, about half a mile south of the one above described, and known as " Middle Kingsessing School." In it the Committee found 27 children present, under the charge of Ann H. Smith, who receives a salary of two hundred and fifty dollars. There were 52 names on the roll, and an average attendance of 31. No. 1 1 Is the " Lower Kingsessing School," under the care of Harris Y. Louderback, at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum, in which the Committee found 41 Boys present, 54 regis- tered, and an average attendance of about 40. The examina- tion made here, afforded satisfaction to the Committee, both as to the qualification of the Teacher, and of the progress of the pupils. It is conducted in a small stone house, erected by the people of the neighbourhood many years ago, and with the lot of land attached to it, is now held by Trustees for school purposes. It has been for some time contemplated to erect a suitable house, sufficiently large to accommodate the pupils of this school, and those of the one about to be described, and that course is ac- cordingly recommended by the Committee. 30 No. 12 Is an interesting and well conducted school, situated at Paschalville, near the one above described, under the care of a competent Teacher; — Mary L. Banning. It is held in the base- ment of the Village Church, and the accommodations are very unsuitable, being dark and damp. Here the Committee found 70 pupils in attendance, 75 on the roll, with an average atten- dance of about 60. The examination of this school was highly satisfactory to the Committee. SCHOOLS IN THE EIGHTH SECTION. No. 1 Is a school called the " Franklin School," conducted in the lower story of a neat school house recently erected by the Controllers on a lot of land, about a mile from Penrose's Ferry, in Passyunk. In this school 65 pupils were present, under the charge of D. R. Hawkins as Teacher, whose salary is four hundred dollars per annum ; 102 names were on the re- gister, and the average attendance is about 70. The Primary School, formerly taught in the upper room, has recently been discontinued. The Local Directors are about to re-establish this, which, under a competent Teacher, will be useful to the younger pupils, and render Mr. Hawkins' services much more effective. No. 2 Is the "Passyunk School," under the care of George Hewston, in which the Committee found 49 pupils in atten- dance. There were 66 names on the roll, and an average at- tendance of about 50. New Furniture is much needed in this school, and it was satisfactory to find that this want is about to be supplied by and under the direction of the Committee on Property. 31 No. 3 Is the "Landreth School," delightfully situated on a property recently purchased by the Controllers, at the well known Garden of that name, on Federal street. John S. Furey conducts the Unclassified School, and Jane M. Furey the Pri- mary, in separate rooms. The former receives a salary of four hundred dollars per annum ; and the latter two hundred and fifty dollars. Sixty-four pupils were in attendance, and 109 were registered. Great irregularity in attendance obtains at this school, owing in a great measure to the peculiar nature of the avocation of many of the Parents and Guardians of the pupils. During the winter season, and at some other periods of the year, the attendance is more regular, and the number of scholars increased. This completes the examination of the several schools in the Sections referred to the Committee, and they now respectfully submit, and recommend for adoption the following Resolutions: Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated to the Seventh Section, for the pur- pose of purchasing a lot of ground and building a school house in Mantua Village, suitable for a Primary School, and that the same be placed under the care of a Female Teacher. Resolved, That the salary of the Teacher of the Boys' School, at Hestonville, be fixed at four hundred dollars per an- num, instead of six hundred, as now paid ; the reduction to com- mence on and after the 1st of July next. # Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated to the Seventh Section, for the purpose of building a house and purchasing a lot of land at or 32 near the Sorrel Horse, on the Darby Road, so as to accommo- date the pupils of the schools known as " Upper Kingsessing," and " Middle Kingsessing," and that those schools be then dis- continued. Resolved, That the sum of one thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated to the Seventh Section, for the pur- pose of building a house near Paschal ville, to accommodate the pupils of the " Lower Kingsessing," and of the Paschalville Schools, provided the Trustees of the Lower Kingsessing School will grant the lot of land and premises held by them to the Controllers in fee simple. The duties confided to the Committee by the Board of Con- trollers have now been fulfilled, and the schools in the sections referred to their notice, have been visited and reported upon. There are, however, some subjects of a general nature, which have presented themselves to the Committee, and which are deemed to be so important to the more perfect organization of our school system, as to justify a few remarks. Before conclud- ing their report, therefore, they take leave respectfully to offer a brief suggestion or two. *ce> The Committee have thought that great good would arise from the establishment of a Central Inspection and Examina- tion of all the schools of the district. It has long been regard- ed as an important object by those members of the Board who have had the most experience in its concerns, that the numer- ous schools now under its care, and the very important interests which their operations involve, should receive a closer super- vision and oversight ; and the Committee recommend the ap- 33 pointment of a General Superintendent of all the schools in the district; whose duty it should be to visit periodically all and every school in the First School District, and report to the Board of Controllers at least once in six months The state of each school, its moral character and condition. The instruction given, and the method pursued by the re- spective Teachers. To insist upon the correct Registration of the pupils in the schools, and to have the same duly reported. To see that the supplies of Books and Stationery furnished to the several schools by the Board of Controllers, are adapted to the wants of those schools, and to prevent the abuse or in- jury of the supplies so furnished. To report upon the condition and situation of the School Houses and Furniture ; — of the several properties belonging to the Board, or in its tenure ; and to prevent the same from being injured or destroyed for want of timely care. And generally to perform such other services as the Board of Controllers may from time to time devolve upon him. The Committee have already adverted to the infrequent visi- tation of the schools, and the examination of the pupils, which obtains in several of the sections ; and they return to the sub- ject again, to suggest whether, a general circular letter, address- ed to the Directors of the several Sections, urging this most im- portant duty upon them, might not have a salutary effect. In the prosecution of their duties, no subject has presented itself to the attention of the Committee with more force than the want of suitably qualified Teachers ; especially in our Secondary and Primary Schools ; the standard of which they desire to see elevated. Indeed the times seem to demand that 3 34 our whole school system should occupy a higher position, and be more intellectual in its character than it has hitherto been. The Teacher, and the profession of a Teacher, must be rightly estimated, properly elevated, and made to occupy a more dig- nified and honorable position. The Teachers in a great degree make the school, and their character and attainments must de- termine the character and quality of the education they give. All plans, therefore, for the improvement of education, must begin with the Teachers, and provide greater facilities for their fuller and more professional education. The Committee forbear to enlarge upon this most important matter — much might be added, to urge the necessity of some action upon it; — but they conclude with expressing the hope that it may engage the early and earnest attention of the Board of Controllers. J. COWPERTHWAIT^ GEO. W. VAUGHAN, * P. M. HAGNER, ! I JAMES J. BARCLAY, i * W. S. HALLOWELL, F. SORBER, O Philadelphia, May 11th, 1847. Certified from the Minutes of the Board of Controllers of Public Schools of the First School District of Pennsylvania. THOMAS B. FLORENCE, Secretary. 021 520 575 7 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 021 520 575