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HOUGHTON.

DESCRIPTION.

[See cut of Houghton High School on preceding page.]

The Houghton High School building was erected in 1864, at a cost of $35,000. It is pleasantly situated, overlooking the city, lake, and adjoining village of Hancock. The whole building, outside of the walls, is 95 by 74 feet, two stories high, built of stone 2 feet thick. It has but one entrance. The basement contains an eating room 67 by 27 feet. This room is used for the accommodation of those pupils who may arrive before the teacher, and are not allowed to enter their respective rooms; also, for those who, because of their distance from school, find it convenient to bring their dinners. Another room of the same size is used for storing fuel, and also contains the furnace. The remaining space is occupied by the janitor's family. On the first floor the rooms are 53 by 27 feet, 40 by 27 feet, and 30 by 20 feet, besides a recitation and dressing room. The rooms on the upper floor are the same, with a library, laboratory, and office. The building is warmed by steam, and thoroughly ventilated. Headaches are unknown.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.

To the Board of Education:

GENTLEMEN,-In compliance with your regulations, I herewith submit my first annual report. That our school work for the year just past will compare favorably with that of the preceding year is shown by the following school statistics:

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By the above it will been seen that the average attendance is but little more than one-half of the whole number enrolled. This is accounted for in several ways. The first and chief cause is due to the carelessness of the parents; they do not realize that a few days or weeks absence will make any difference, either in their advancement, or the school in general. Many are not ready when the school opens, no matter when that may be; it is not consistent with their dignity to enter until at least several weeks have elapsed. Also, owing to the extreme severity and length of our winters,-over two-thirds of the school year, many of the primary scholars are prevented attending. The attendance will average less than one-half, while that in the Intermediate, Grammar, and High School will be nearly six-sevenths. I am confident that the plan just adopted by you, that of having blank forms printed on postal cards, to be filled out, notifying parents of the absence of their children, and suspending them for a repetition of the same,-will have a good effect in increasing the daily attendance. The tardiness has decreased, while the number of pupils has increased; this is due to the enforcement of section fifth of school rules relating to locking the doors after the last bell.

EXAMINATIONS AND PROMOTIONS.

At the close of the last year I examined nearly all the classes, from the Primary to the High School, inclusive, not only those who were to be promoted to other rooms, but also those who were to remain. The result surpassed my fondest expectations, as in nearly all cases the pupils acquitted themselves nobly, and, by so doing, highly commended their teachers. The examinations were not test ones, provided for the occasion, neither for display. No extra preparation had been made by either pupils or teachers. Hereafter, at the end of each term, I shall endeavor to examine all the classes in each department, to inform myself of the advancement made, and thus become personally acquainted with the mental development of each child. In the Grammar and High School, written examinations are held monthly; also, oral examinations at the close of each term. In regard to promotions, a short experience has taught me that it is best to promote pupils, not only at the close of the year, but at any time during the year when prepared.

SCHOLARSHIP.

Although our scholarship has, on the whole, been excellent, yet it is not such as we wish and hope to secure. No pupil is allowed to pass a study until

thoroughly prepared, and with an enrollment of over 800, less than 25 have failed to be advanced, and some of that number failed from absence during the examinations.

DISCIPLINE.

Realizing that "discipline gives power," and that nothing can be accomplished without it, this has received its due share of attention. And, although stringent rules and severe measures were necessary to be resorted to during the first term, yet I am pleased to report that the government in nearly all the departments is all that could be expected or desired; seldom do the teachers find it necessary to report pupils for any misconduct.

COURSE OF study.

In obedience to instructions received from you at the close of the last year, the courses of study were re-arranged to meet the new requirements for admission to the State University. Four courses are now presented to those attending, namely: Classical, Latin, Scientific, and English. The first requires four, and the remaining ones three years, to complete. At present we have a junior class in the Classical, and a senior class in the English course. The granting of diplomas to those completing the course has been a great blessing to the school; an increased interest in the studies, and a better attendance, are the advantages gained. The diploma is considered as the reward of all their labors, and each pupil eagerly strives to win it.

In conclusion, allow me to thank you for the support and counsel you have extended to me during my first year with you, and to ask for the continuance of the same during the coming year.

M. J. WHITNEY,

Superintendent.

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KALAMAZOO.

DESCRIPTION.

[See cut of Kalamazoo Union School on preceding page.]

The Union School building is situated on College street, about 100 rods from the business center of the village. It is surrounded by four streets, the ground upon which it is located being a square containing about five acres. The grounds are well adorned with shade trees and shrubbery. The house is of the Italian style of architecture, and is four stories high, three above the basement, and is ninety feet long by eighty wide. It is well built, and has, externally, a very neat and substantial appearance.

There are upon the first floor ten rooms. One of them is designed for a library, one for drawing and painting, two for wardrobes, two as recitation rooms, and the other four, if needed, as school rooms for primary scholars. The two largest of these will accommodate between 150 and 200 pupils.

Two flights of stairs from the halls, and two more from the wardrobes, lead to the second story. This story is divided by a hall running north and south, with one leading into it from the west side. It contains nine rooms. Four of them are small and designed for wardrobes, the others for recitation and school-rooms for scholars in the Grammar and Intermediate departments.

The main Grammar school-room is on the east side of the hall, and is one of the finest rooms in the building. It is 31 by 49 feet, and opening out of it are two recitation rooms of good size. It is seated with double combination desks and seats, and will accommodate 156 scholars.

On the opposite side of the main hall are two rooms, one 31 by 37, the other 31 by 26 feet, seated in the same style as the Grammar school. These rooms together will seat 178 pupils. These rooms are designed especially for scholars in the Intermediate department, between the Primary and Grammar schools.

Two flights of stairs from the halls and one from a wardrobe lead to the third story, which is divided by passages in the same way as the second. This story also contains nine rooms. Three of them are wardrobes, one or two may be used as music rooms, one as a room for apparatus, and two or three for recitations. This story is used for the High School. The main room, which is the largest in the house, is on the east side of the hall, and is 45 by 68 feet. It will accommodate, when entirely filled with single desks and chairs, between 200 and 300 pupils. Seated with common settees or slips the

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