*** Source: Thompson, Robert A., Historical and descriptive sketch of Sonoma County, California. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1877, 122 pgs. Notice: This data is donated to the Public Domain by TAG, 2004, and may be copied freely by anyone to anywhere. *** ---page 80--- greatly improved by the erection of a large and hamdsome building, at a cost of eight thousand dollars, capable of seating five hundred pupils, and furnished with the best modern furniture. The building is conveniently and comfortably arranged; the ventilation is excellent, and the means of rapid egress ample in case of an emergency. The school apparatus is not as complete as could be desired; but as much has been done in this direction as possible, and more will be added as soon as the funds of the school department will admit. The school-grounds are well situated; the location of the east school is on Fourth street, in the eastern portion of the city, and that of the west school on Davis street, near the railroad; the capacity of the grounds are hardly sufficient for the recreation of so many children. By the last legislature, Santa Rosa was constituted a separate school-district, under the management of a board of education, consisting of five members. The present board is: F. G. Hahman, president; W. B. Atterbury, clerk; C. G. Ames, R. A. Thompson, and R. P. Smith. The discipline of the schools gives general satisfaction; and in this respect the schools have gained a reputation in other sections of the State. The follow- ing comprise the present corps of teachers, and their respective positions: Melville Dozier, principal; Mrs. Jeannie Pyatt, first assistant; Ellis T. Crane, first grammar grade; William Acton and Mrs. C. H. Ballard, second grammar grade; John H. Burnett, third grammar grade; Miss Basha England, Miss Sophia Kraus, fourth grade; Mrs. L. E. Hardy and Miss A. Swasey, First pri- mary grade: Miss Flora McDonald, second primary grade; Mrs. E. Godwin, third and fourth primary grades. J. M. Kilpatrick, principal of west school; Mrs. E. F. Middleton, assistant in west school. Nearly all of these teachers are persons of experience in the work, and hold the highest grade certificates. Residents of the city are admitted into the various departments of the schools between the ages of six and twenty-one, while the course of study anticipates the preparation of a pupil for the ordinary business of life, or, if he desires to go farther, for admission into the University of the State. The school is kept open for ten months of the year, two terms of five months each, commencing, respectively, on the second Monday in January and July, with a brief vacation at the middle of each term. The per centage of attend- ance on the part of the pupils is excellent, averaging nearly ninety-five per cent. The whole number of pupils in attendance at the public schools during the present school year is eight hundred and thirty-five. The last census, taken in June of last year, returned one thousand and sixty- three children of school age in the city. The citizens of Santa Rosa have reason to feel gratified at the condition of the public educaitonal interests of the city, and would do well to foster to the utmost this very important feature of their local advancement. PROFESSOR JONES' ACADEMY. Professor G. W. Jones, former superintendent of public schools, has a select school for boys, which maintains a high reputation as a preparatory school for the universities, and the patronage is limited only by its accommodation. Miss Chase has recently established a private school for girls. She is an accomplished teacher, and deserves a liberal support. *** end ***