7501 8 ^Si Regulations of the High School for girls Boston, School corrimlttee--Regulati ons .-«";y .^™.^^. THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES I REGULATIONS 'simzii £(S]JS®©^ !r@]£ m)^Mi BOSTON : A CATALOGUE OF THE SCHOLARS. JANUARY, 1S27. BOSTON : rniNTED BY T. B. WAIT & SON. 1827. REGULATIONS. Since the publication of our former catalogue, — to which was prefixed some account of the motives and measures, which led to the cstablishmctU of the High School for Girls, of the pro- visions then contemplated for its support, and of the general principles upon which it was to be conducted, — the School Com- mittee have introduced some alterations of an important na- ture, into their regulations relating to this institution. The course of instruction in the school has been much abridged, — the qualifications for admission have been fixed at a high stan- dard, — and the ages of candidates have been reduced to much narrower limits than before. It is owing to these circum- stances, especially the two last, that so {ew scholars have been examined and admitted, the present year; for the Committee of the school had estimated, from as correct data as the nature of the case allowed, that there would probably be more than jfoto" himdrcd applications for seats. The attainments of sev- eral of the candidates, who were rejected, were very creditable in all the required branches, excepting Mental Arithmetic; in this, all were deficient, in a greater or less degree. A large proportion of them had never paid any attention to the study; and some of those who professed to be acquainted with it, merely ciphered wilhoiit a slate, exhibiting no acquaintance with that close and perspicuous method of reasoning, which constitutes the chief beauty and excellence of the system. It is understood that very many, desirous of entering the school, were deterred from ofier- ing themselves for examination, by a conscious deficiency in this branch; it having been embraced, but a short time, in the course of instruction pursued in the Writing Schools of the city. The following summary embraces those regulations of the School Committee, whicii relate particularly to this school. No scholar shall be admitted into the school, until she shall have attained tlie age of foioieni ycarsj nor after she shall have *_ii SC •' . »„ :^- .»-i»- O* EDUCATION attained the age of sixteen, or shall remain in the school longer than one year. An exception is made in favor of the present scholars, who, having been originally admitted for three years, are permitted to remain until the next annual exhibition. The requisitions for admission into the school, shall be every thing taught in the public Grammar and Writing schools. Candidates for admission shall be examined in Reading, Writ- ing, Modern Geography, and Colburn's First Lessons in Arith- metic, and they shall be able to parse fluently any English com- position in prose or verse.* The school shall be opened on the second Monday of Decem- ber annually. Candidates for admission shall be examined on the Friday and Saturday preceding the first Monday of that month. From the first Monday in April to the first Monday in Octo- ber, the school shall be begun at 8 a. m. — and from the first Monday in October to the first Monday in April, at 9 a. m. — and it shall be kept to 2 p. m. through the year. The holy-days and vacations allowed to the school, are, days of Fast and Thanksgiving; Christmas day; the first Monday in June; the fourth of July; the days of general trainings; Election week; Commencement week; the remainder of the week after the annual exhibition of the public schools for boys in Augu.st; and the time between the last Thursday in November and the second Monday in December. The course of studies originally prescribed, was calculated to occupy three years; and it has not yet been revised to adapt it to the altered circumstances of the school. The annual public exhibition of the school shall be on the day after the public exhibition of the girls in the several Grammar and Writing schools of the city, to wit, on the last Thursday in November, in the forenoon. The direction which follows, is from the general Regulation.s of the School Committee. " All the masters shall be required to keep bills or books, which shall be furnished at the pul)li<; ex- pense, and shall remain the property of the schools, in vvhich they shall record the names, ages, places of residence, ab.scnccs and tardinesses of their pupils, and such other particulars of their conduct, application, improvement, promotion and general char- • U is desired Hint young ladies Iiring with Ibcm a specimen of (heir writinj:, when they offer themselves for examination. And teachers, who«e pupils may make application for admi.-sion into the Hi£;h School, are respectfiillj- request- ed to furnish tiicm with testimonials, certifying that (hey have been through the course of studies required. acter, as shall enable the Committees at their visitations (';n all of which it shall be the duty of the masters to exliibit the same to them) to form an adequate idea of the state of the schools; and it shall be the duty of the instructers frequently to remind their pupils of the important consequences, which may result to them individually from these perpetual records." To these ojficiul rcgulalmis of the School Committee, I have thought it might be well to subjoin, for the information of the parents and friends of my pupils, a ^aw of the leading principles, upon which the school is governed and instructed; without in- tending, however, to go minutely into the details of the system, at the present time. The High School for Girls is conducted on the general plan of monitorial ©r mutual instruction; but no prescribed system has been followed. Indeed, I can no more conceive of a set of rules and forms and a routine of exercises, of universal applica- tion in the business of education, than of a sovereign s|)ecific, for the curing of all the diseases that '' llesh is heir to," in the practice of medicine. Such arrangements have been made, as seemed best adapted to the peculiarcircumstancesof the school; and they are, in most respects, unlike those of any other institu- tion. In forming the system, I have made free use of whatever information on the subject I could find in books, as well as of th& suggestions of my own experience in teaching. The school was regarded, at its commencement, as an experiment; and it is not for me to speak of the result. But this I may be permitted to say, that no pupils of mine have ever manifested a more gen- erous spirit in their deportment, or made a greater proficiency in their studies, than those now under my care, notwithstanding their number is so large for a single instructer. It is not pretended that the explanations and illustrations of monitors, are always as thorough and happy as they might be; liut this evil may be remedied by a judicious use of oral instruc- tion, and by frequent and regular reviews to the master. Up- on the whole, if the monitorial system possesses some defects, — and what system is perfect in every respect? -they are more than counterbalanced by its commanding and salutary inthiencc upon character, in a moral and intellectual point of view, — by its tendency to inspire decision and energy and thought, and to pro- mote habits of industry, a cheerful spirit and a correct deport- ment. Here its advantages are great and peculiar. In bearing this testimony in favor of monitorial instruction, — against which 6 I formerly felt some prejudices, in spite of myself, although 1 theo- retically understood, as I thought, its various advantages and de- fects, — I make no account of the common argument of economy. The system of education is to be preferred which is best, not that xvhicii is cheapest. Neither am I influenced by motives of per- sonal ease; for my cares, confinement and labors, are vastly greater than they have ever been in any other school. Indepen- dently of all such considerations, I estimate the new method with reference to its merits alone, — iis praclical influence upon mind, manners and character. If it did not enable a master to teach a single additional scholar, I should still regard it as a great and invaluable improvement in conducting the business of education. Our desks arc arranged in ten rows or sections, of twelve seats each, and numbered from 1 to 120, — No. 1, being the /o?ct'sf desk in point of honor. The school is reorganised once a quar- ter, when every scholar is required to leave her desk in good order, or it is repaired at her expense. The young ladies are usually addressed by the numbers of their seats, and not by their names; and this is ahcaiis the case, when they arc noted as be- ing out of order. The delinquent thus escapes the mortification of being exposed to the school; for these numbers are so placed, that they cannot be seen by the scholars in their scats. Good order is regarded as indispensable, and as much silence is preserved in the school, as the nature of its varied and numer- ous operations will admit; but no severe and unnecessary re- straints are imposed. The scholars are allowed to consult their own convenience, in preparing for their exercises; and an idler is seldom seen. They arc also permitted to study their own happiness in their own way, provided they neither disturb the general order, nor encroach upon the rights of their neighbors, — to do any thing, openlij and without disgnise, not inconsistent with a lady-like deportment; and it is seldom any one so far for- gets the respect siie owes to her own character, as to be guilty of disorderly and improper conduct. Of all offences, an attenqit at conceahnent and a manifestation of disingcnuousness, even in an innocent matter, would receive the most marked and severe censure. The health and comfort of the scholars, are carefully regard- ed. They are not of(en confined to the same position, either in their seats or on the floor, for a longer period than twenty or thirty minutes; and their evolutions arc so directed as to unite exercise and (trder. Hy the present construction of the rooms, only half of the school can conveniently recite togetlicr: this is to be icgrcUctl, as much time might be saved daily, by u diflercnt arraiigement. ISo medals or pecuniary rewards arc given; and no means are used for promoting punctuality and exciting emulation, but svicli as arc congenial to the legitimate objects of a school. If such means are sutlicient to produce the desired efiect, it would seem worse than useless to appeal to mercenary motives; and that they are so, is abundantly proved by the regular attendance of the scholars, and by the fact, that longer lessons and extra-ex- ercises arc requested almost daily, — shorter lessons, very sel- dom, and without good reasons, never. Their exercises arc all volwitarij, as far as practicable; and they are assigned, in a great measure, by those who are to perform them. However, if a lesson has been badly recited, the scholars are not consulted by their teacher in assigning the next; but if none of the mem- bers of a section have iailed, they have" a right to demand as long a lesson as they please, for the next exercise of the same kind . The government of the school is vested in a set of books, ia which is recorded an accurate and minute account of every scholar's performances, deportment, absence and tardiness; and at the end of each quarter, she is advanced to a higher, or de- graded to a lower, section or seat, as tiiis record shall appear in her favor or against her. The whole business is regulated by fixed principles, that are well understood; and every individual is, literally speaking, the artilicev of her own rank, which is af- fected by every exercise she performs, and by every error she commits, either in recitation or conduct. Every thing depends upon numerical calculation ; and, were it expedient, the school might be classed by the scholars themselves. A Credit is given to every member of the school, for each regular recitation, which is performed in a correct and satisfac- tory manner. A Check is given to such as fail in their lessons. Thus, iu every recitation, each pupil receives either a check or a credit. Merits are awarded for correct and orderly deportment, for excellence in the unusual exercises of school, and for voluntary labors. The mark's which indicate violations of order and improper conduct, lor the want of a better name, are called Misdemeanors. For the more common instances of misconduct, only one is given, but for higher oliences, such as disrespect to jl teacher or mon- itor, the number would be griuluated bv the circumstances ol' the case. 8 Forfeits arc incurred by neglecting to attend to required ex- ercises, at the proper time, and in a proper manner, by making appeals without sufBcient grounds, and by slight irregularities of conduct. In making the quarterly records of the school, by which the rank of the scholars is determined, every check cancels one credit, or two merits, and every misdemeanor, five merits. These principles were discussed and settled by a large commit- tee of the scholars themselves. The forfeits are not entered upon the records, but kept on the bills until they are redeemed by an equal number of merits. Various classes of agents are employed in the government, instruction and general administration of the affairs of the school, to each of v.hich are assigned specific duties. The Head Monitor holds the highest and most responsible sit- uation. She has the general superintendence of the school, and, in the absence of the Principal, she supplies his place. The Monitor of Attendance, and the Monitor of Dictation, in ad- dition to their own proper duties, act as assistants to the head monitor. Their authority extends over the whole school, and they are selected to fill their respective places, as marks of dis- tinguished and general merit. They occupy an elevated desk, which commands a view of the other scholars. The Monitors of Sections, as such, are not employed in the in- struction of the school; but their duties are nevertheless import- ent. Each one has the superintendence of the section next below her; in which if she observe any disorder, it is her duty to re- port it to the head monitor, without delay. I would here remark, tliat spies and informers, receive no encouragement in the school. All complaints, to be regarded, must be made in an official form, and by those whose didy it is to make them. These monitors also keep class-bills of their respective sections, in which they re- cord the results of their recitations, and report them to the head monitor, weekly, to be entered in her Journal.* In selecting the monitors of sections and their Assistants, who perform the duties of the monitors, in their absence, I pay no regard to scholarship, unless it is connected with ingenuousness, an ob- servance of order and an amiable and lady-like deportment; as a reward for which high qualifications, if I should not rather say cardinal virtues, these aj)pointmonts are exclusively reserved. The Examimra pass through their respective sections, every morning, to attend to such voluntary exercises as rnay be offer- ed; and, under certain limitation.'^, to award the merits they may deserve. They keep the bills of merits and forfeits, as do the 9 monitors, those of credits and checks; and, like thcin, they make weekly reports to the head monitor. In selecting the Teachers, particular attention is paid to their attainments in the several branches, in which they arc to give instruction, and their aptness lor the business. Jn those studies, however, which require litile more in the teacher, than to hear a 7'ecitation, the reverse of this rule is sonietimes adopted, by a se- lection of such as will be the most benefited by reviewing what they liave already learned. No teacher, ordinaiily, hears the same section in two branches; and no one is required to hear another class, while her own is reciting. The scholars are encouraged to detect the errors of their teachers and of each other: this secures their undivided attention to the exercise before them, makes the teacher careful in the discharge of her duty, and brings to her assistance all the knowledge of her pupils. An account of the recitation is entered on a slate, provided for the purpose, and read to the class, that the errors, if any, may be corrected at the time. It is then transferred to the bill of the proper monitor. The teachers are held responsible for the order of their respective classes, from the time they leave their seats till they return to them again. The Messengers are the highest scholars in their several sec- tions. Through them are made all communications to and ironi the Principal, while their classes are reciting ; and by Iheir agency much disorder and delay are prevented. To illustrate the nature of their duties, suppose a scholar does not give a prompt and satisfactory answer to a question proposed; her teach- er says ^ check!'' Should she think the question not an imrortant one, or that her answer was sufficiently accurate, — as tiiey arc encouraged in the use of their own words, instead of these of their books, — her reply is ' appealP The messenger then brings the case before the instructor for his consideration, stating ail the circumstances, except the name of the individual. This i-; done in writing, when it can be with convenience. The checlv is continued oV removed, according to the decision given. As there is but one instructor, it seemed necessary that pro- vision should be made for the school to go on without liis bein^r present. So far as order is concerned, tliis has been eifectually done, by vesting the government in books of record ; and the past head monitors are constituted a Board of Appeal y whenever the master IS detained from school, by sickness or any other cas- ualty. The only penalty for absence, is, that scholars obtain neither credit nor merit marks: and for fho pinin rrn*^nn. thnt tli"y dr> 10 nothing to earn thcni. Excuses for absence are not now re- (luired; and yet the attendance is highly gratiiying, even in the most inclement \veathe«-. From this account, — too brief I fear to be distinct, although much longer than was contemplated, — the operations of the school may appear complicated and confused. But nothmg could be farther from the truth. All understand their duties, be- cause they are precisely defined; and the parts are so adjusted, that there is no jarring, or crossing each other. It may be supposed, too, that the business of the records must be cumbrous and unwieldy, and occupy a large share of the time both of the master and many of the scholars; and yet a stranger might spend days in the room and know nothing of the matter, unl(\?s it were pointed out to him. The work is so distributed and arranged, that no one has much to do, in this department, except the head mor!itor,who requires an hour, per- haps, on Saturday, to make up her journal for the week. The system is so compact, that a single quire of paper will serve as a waste-book for the whole school, in which all the facts are entered in detail, for almost three years; and in the permanent Record, which is kept by the master, four lines give the ^A hole history of a scholar's progress, even to the minutest facts, for a year. It may be asked, what security we have that these various agents perform tiieir respective duties, with fidelity and impartial- ity? it might be sufficient to answer, the same security which we have that any person will pertbrm his duty, in any situation; for I am yet to learn that the young, with their glowing and generous feelings, are less ingenuous, less liable to be governed by senti- ments of justice and principles of integrity, and less tenderly alive to all the sweet influences of truth and honor and honesty, than they whose judgements may be more mature, but who have been longer hackneyed in the crooked ways of the world. Let the moral sense l)e properly cultivated, — let scholars learn to respect themselves, by seeing that they are respected by others, — let a prudent and generous confidence reposed in their integrity, prompt them to an exact and faithful discharge of their duties, and there is little to be apprehended on the side of injustice, or from the abuse of power. But all the rneani?, which circumstances allow, are used to prevent even ' (he appearance of evil.' Kvery award, either of merit or censure, must be made opciilij, and in the presence of all interested, that if any error is committed, or injustice done, 11 it may be at once corrected. An appeal from the decision of a monitor or teacher, may at all times be made to the Priiicipal, for which a nniform and easy course is prescribed. Indeed, appeals have been made to the desk, and not unfreijucntlv with success, against decisions of the master himself, when acting in the capacity of a monitor or teacher. In a word, such is the system of checks established, to detect all violations of the rules of the school and to secure equity and good order, that no indi- vidual can suffer injustice to be done to herself, or partiality to be shown to another, but through her own negligence or fault. To be sure that the teachers do their duty faithfully, I regu- larly review the scholars in all their studies. The books of the school are divided into proper and convenient stages; and a sec- tion cannot go forward to a new stage, before they have passed a thorough and critical examination in the last. In this way, I event- ually attend to all the studies of the school in person. The sal- utary influence of these reviews, both upon the teachers and their pupils, will be readily conceived. The pupils, on their part, are anxious to go on fast, that the lower sections may not pass by them; and the teachers are as anxious that they should go on loell, that they may not incur the mortification which must result from an unsatisfactory review. E. BAILEY. PLAN OF THE RECORD BOOK. Names. Quarters. 5 < if ^ a ■J- 01 1 1 i i ca o 'Si Remarks. A. B. January. April. July- October. CD. January. April. July. October. E. F. January, April. • Nolt. The names are arranged in alphabetical order. The matter for llie Piecord, is furnished by (he Journal of tlin head monitor, and (he rrjonitor ^^ attendance. MONITORS. FOR THE YEAR 1826. TIRST QUARTER. Jeanette Howard, Head Monitor. Em?ia R. W. Gerry, Monitor of Attendance. SECOND QUARTER. Mary E. Frothingham, Head Monitor. Sarah L. Drew, Monitor of Attendance. Eleanor A. T. Fitzpatric, Monitor of Dictation. THIRD QUARTER. Sarah Kurtz, Head Monitor. Eliza Sargent, Monitor of Attendance. Hannah M. Curtis, Monitor of Dictation. FOURTH QUARTER. Maria Goodwin, Head Monitor. Lyuia Towne, Monitor of Attendance. Catharine M. P. Lewis, Monitor of Dictation. CATALOGUE. J^ames. Residence, SchooU. Sarah G. Badger, Milk street, Private. Abigail F. Baldwin, Marshall, Mayhew. Eliza B. Bancroft, Hollis, Private. Frances K. Barker, Washington, Adams. Harriet W. Barker, George, Private. Elizabeth J. Baxter, Common, Franklin. Louisa Blanchard, Sumner, Bowdoin. Sarah Blaney, Charles, Bowdoin. Sarah A. Bliss, Sea, Adams. Susan VV. Braman, Boylston, Adams. Susan V. Briggs, Leverett place, Bowdoin. Lucy Brigham, Elm street, Private. Ann F. Brown, Franklin, Bowdoin. Ann W. Brown, Eliot, Private. Ann M. Bryant, School, Bowdoin. Martha Callender, Kingston, Private. Jane C. Childs, Spring, Bowdoin. Lydia A. Clougb, Hanover, Eliot. Arria Coffin, Essex, Private. Mary A. Collier, Federal, Private. Margaretta Cotton, South, Private. Hannah M. Curtis, Washington, Private. Matilda C. Curtis, Washington, Private. Deborah Cutler, Common, Franklin. Catharine S. Davis, Orange court. Private. 14 JVames. Mary F. Dean, Maria L. Del Noce, Sarah L. Drew, Caroline M. Dyer, Mary E. Ellison, Almira Lmery, Antoinette Fairbanks, Catharine S, Farmer, Matilda Fenno, Elizabeth Field, E. A. T. Fitzpatric, Sarah C. Forbes, Sarah M. Ford, Mary E. Frothingham, Harriet Frothingham, Sarah D. C Gamage, Emma R. W. Gerry, Elizabeth A. Gilbert, Clarissa Gillrnore, Rebecca P. Goodale, Maria Goodwin, Emily N. Gray, Catharine W. Gridley, Rebecca Hadley, Mary P. Hale, Mary C. Hall, Mary J. Hammatt, Elizabeth Hammond, Susan P. Haskell, Harriet A. Henderson, Mary B. Hewcs, Mary A. Flichborn, Almira A. Horton, Jeanettc Howard, Mary J. How, Residence. Schools. North Allen street. Private. Court, Private. Friend, Adams. North Allen, Bowdoin, Court, Bovvdoin. Nassau, Private. Pleasant, Franklin. Hawkins, Private. Congress, Private. Purchase, Boylston. Theatre alley, Boylston Salem street, Mayhew. Leverett, Eliot. Beach, Private. Beach, Private. Washington, Franklin. Hancock, BoyUton. Richmond, Private. Poplar, Bowdoin. South Boston, Franklin. Pearl street, Private. Gouch, Bowdoin. Lowell place, Adams. Charles street, Mayhew. Berry, Private. Hanover, Hancock. Charter, Eliot. Pitts, Private. Boylston, Private. Hawkins, Private. Oliver place, Private. North square, Bowdoin. AViisliington street, Private. \Vashington, Adams. Milk, Private. 15 J^'ames. Saralj 1 . Jackson, Mary 11 Jolioiiuot, Liiz.tbelii June:?, Sarali A. Kent, Cciioliiie F. Kettell, CHioliiie ii. Kuliii, barali Ivurlz, Residence. Spring, Piiickijey, Saleu), Soutli Bostuii, Buifinch street, Cambridge, Warren, Schools. Private. Private. Eliot. Hawes. Private. Private. Franklin. Su^aii R. LasI), Lynn, Caroline A. Lerovv, Snow-hill, Caihariiie M. P. Lewis, Warren, Elizabetli v. Loring, Cuok court, A;in M. Luring, Pinckney street, Margaret D. Loring, Pinckney, Ciiarlotle Mears, Eliza A Mi.'llus, Hannah E. Moore, Saraii E. Murphy, Martha G. Nason, Joanna C. Nichols, School, Eliot, Washington, Federal, Pleasant, Williams, Sarah M. Parker, Somerset, Joanna L. Partridge, Washington, Louisa C. Payhon, Washington, Ann T. Perkins, Leverelt, Mary E. Pierpont, Beach, Maria C. Plamlioeck, Essex, Philinda G. Prouty, Poplar, Adeline Q,uincy, South, Eliot. Private, Adams. Private. Private. Private. Private. Private. Private. Boylston. Adams. Private. Private. Private. Private. Buwdoin. Private. Private. Private. Private. Ellen A. Reed, Morton place. Private. Emily Ueed, Fleet street. Hancock Mary E. Rhoades, Ann, Eliot. Sarah R. Rice, North Allen, Private. Cordelia Richards, Federal, Private. 16 J/ames. Frances M. Robinson, Mary S, Robinson, Elizabeth Ross, Lydia C. Roulstone, Eliza Sargent, Frances A. Seymour, Sarah E. Smith, Lucy C. Smith, Cordelia M, Stevens, Mary S. Stoddard, Matilda Sumner, Rebecca A. Thayer, Frances A. Tisdale, Lydia Towne, Elizabeth S. Towne, Helen E. Vans, Sarah H. V^aughan, Charlotte C. Vose, Caroline D. Vose, Ellen M. T. Wallis, Caroline M. Webb, Betsey W. Weld, Caroline. A. Wells, Silence J. Wentwortb, Helen A. Whitney, Mary S. Whitney, Elzabeth J. Whitney, Helen M. Wilder, Elizabeth Williams, Residence, Schools. North Allen, Bowdoin. North Allen, Bovvdoin. Fayette court, Adams. Common street, Private. Salera, Eliot. Washington, Private. Leverett place. May hew. Sister street. Boylsion. Washington, Franklin. Garden, Bowdoin. Hancock, Private. Atkinson, Franklin. Federal, Private. Orange place, Franklin. Orange, Franklin. Washington street. Franklin. Court, Private. May, Private. West, Private. Poplar, Bowdoin, Hanover, Private. Washington, Private. Salem, Hancock. Federal Court, Hancock. Purchase street. Private. Purchase, Private. Hawkins, Private. Hanover, Eliot. Lynn, Hancock. T OTAL— 121, LX>Q ^ Ui. This book is DUE on the last date stamp' :■■ ■" ill: 001194 898 1 4 •M% '''" y-