WILLISTON SEMINARY, Easthamp-| YOUNG LADIES' INSTITUTE, Pitts

A TABLE containing a List of those Towns in the State which support High Schools, together with the Valuation, Population, and number of Scholars of such Towns; also, the Names of Teachers, with their Salaries.

For the rate of salaries in the Boston High Schools, see page 87.

2,800

550

[Prepared for the American Educational Year-Book by Hon. John D. Philbrick, Superintendent of Public Schools, Boston.]

In the year 1635 the freemen of the town of Boston, in town meeting, agreed "to entreat Philemon Permont to become schoolmaster for the teaching and

* Supported, in part, by a donation from the late Amasa Stetson of Dorchester.

Valuation included in Danvers.

Valuation included in Roxbury.

nurturing of their children." This was the origin of the present Public Latin School, and also of the system of Free Public Schools of the city of Boston. The school thus established was from the first a classical school, with a master able to fit youth for the University. Two more schools were established in 1682, "for teaching boys to write and cipher"; and others were soon after opened to teach reading, spelling, and the elements of English grammar. No provision, however, was made for the education of girls at the public expense till the year 1789, when they were permitted to attend the "reading and writing schools" for a part of the year. It was not till 1828 that females were allowed to attend the public schools during the whole school year. Primary schools were first established by public authority in 1818. The English High School, designed for boys only, was established in 1821. The City Normal School, for the education of female teachers was opened in 1852, and in 1855 was so far modified in its plan as to constitute also a High School for girls, and has since been denominated the Girls' High and Normal School.

The selectmen of the town had the entire charge of the schools, and all matters pertaining to them, until the year 1792, when, in town meeting, twelve persons were chosen, who, with the Selectmen, constituted the first School Committee of the town of Boston. On the adoption of the City Charter, in 1823, the Aldermen took the place of the Selectmen, as a part of the School Committee. The Board of School Committee remained thus constituted till 1835, when, by a special act of the Legislature, it was provided that twenty-four persons, annually elected by the people, two from each ward of the city, together with the Mayor as chairman, and the President of the Common Council, should compose the School Committee. The Primary Schools, at the time of their establishment, were placed under the control of a committee, consisting of one member for each school, elected annually by the School Committee. This Primary School Committee was abolished in 1855, and all the public schools of the city were placed under the management and control of a Board of School Committee, consisting of seventy-four members, viz. six elected by the people of each ward of the city, to hold office for three years, two being chosen annually, and the Mayor and the President of the Common Council, the Mayor being President of the Board.

At the first meeting of the Board in each year, a Secretary is elected, and his salary fixed, and the following Standing Committees, consisting of five members each, are appointed by the President, viz. on Elections, on Rules and Regulations, on Salaries, on Accounts, on Text-Books, on School-houses, on Music, on the Latin School, on the English High School, on the Girls' High and Normal School; and also a committee, consisting of more or less members, on each district. In law the city is only one school district; but for convenience in the management of the schools, the city is divided into as many districts as there are Grammar School-houses. The District Committees make quarterly examinations of the Grammar and Primary Schools under their charge, and report their condition, in writing, to the Board; they also nominate to the Board all the teachers appointed in their respective districts. All teachers are elected annually by the Board, and their salaries are fixed at the same time.

The office of Superintendent of Public Schools was established in 1851. This officer is elected annually by the School Committee. He has a seat with the Board, and makes a quarterly report in writing.

The Schools embraced in the system are as follows:

Latin, in Bedford Street, Francis Gardner, Principal, 1 sub-master, 4 ushers, 185 pupils. Candidates for admission must be ten years of age. The course is six years. Annual expense for tuition, $ 8,974.74.

English High, in Bedford Street, Thomas Sherwin, Principal, 2 sub-masters, 2 ushers, 126 pupils. Candidates for admission must be twelve years of age. The course is three years, with an advanced course of one year. Annual expense for tuition, $9,025.89.

Girls' High and Normal, in Mason Street, William H. Seavey, Principal, 6 female assistants, 143 pupils. Candidates for admission must be fifteen years of age, and not over nineteen. The course is three years. Annual expense for tuition, $5,625.

There are 19 Grammar Schools. Candidates for admission must be seven years of age. Boys are allowed to remain till fourteen years of age; girls, till sixteen.

There are 215 Primary Schools, each school occupying a separate room, and being instructed by one teacher. These schools are kept in 83 different buildings. From one to ten schools are accommodated in a single building. The whole number of scholars in the Primary Schools is 12,573. Annual expense of tuition, $77,089.77. Incidental expenses, $28,812.49. Total expense, $ 105,902.26. Number of Teachers. — High, 5; Latin, 6; Girls' High and Normal, 7; Grammar, 226; Primary, 215. Male, 54; Female, 405. Total, 459. Pupils. Latin, 185;

High, 126; Girls' High and Normal, 143; Grammar 10,229; Primary, 12,573. Total, 23,256.

Expenses. Salaries: High Schools, $23,625.63; Grammar, $122,668.42;

Part of a year.