Boys High School - Red and Black Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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The Red and Black. II School 'lbi5lIOI'Q. N American city of 55o,ooo souls containing no high school and affording its people no opportu- nities whatever for secondary education at the public expense would be an anomaly in these days. Yet this was the state of things in Brooklyn in the year 1878, when the old Central Grammar School was formed. Great private schools had grown up, and smaller ones were appearing. These existed, for the children of the rich, while a knowledge of the three R's was deemed amply sufficient for the poor. The educated people of the city had paid for their privileges, and saw no reason in the nature of things why a system which had been good enough for them should not suflice for their suc- cessors. In the year mentioned a measure of economy was proposed and carried by the Board of Education whereby the upper grades of the grammar schools were consolidated under the name of the Central Grammar School and placed in the old building on Court street. There is little doubt that the chief promoters of this scheme, one of whom was Colonel John Y. Culyer, were far-sighted enough to see that eventually this school would develop into a high school, but no one of them had the temerity to say so then. Indeed, any man with nerve enough to have advocated the establishment of a public high school would have aroused a storm of opposition from press, and pulpit, and pew strong enough almost to have driven him from the city. So the course of study was modified somewhat by making a commercial course of one year and a general course of two years, which in its second year was open to graduates of the commercial course. History, English, and Mathematics were the

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77ze Red and Black. I3 standard subjects, while Physics and Chemistry were taught to some extent. This condition of affairs continued until 1887, when the courses were changed and extended-the commercial to two years, and the general to three. Latin, German, and French were introduced, and the high school flavor became slightly more pronounced. Still the general course led nowhere, so far as further training was con- cerned, and those students who wished to prepare for college were forced to get their Greek outside the school. Furthermore, only one foreign language was allowed at one time, and thus preparation for scientific schools was practically impossible. But'better days were coming. The long and fierce opposition of school officers and well-meaning but de- luded citizens had worn away. The demand for high schools was loud and strong. Almost in spite of itself the Board of Education had become committed to their support. A. large building for the girls had been built, and the boys demanded equal privileges. In 1891, under the strong leadership of Dr. John Griffin, the Boys' High School was established, and Brooklyn, at last, had a high school, and called it by that name. A. G. McAllister was chosen as its principal, and long and faithfully did he labor that the B. H. S. might be housed in its present handsome building. A classical course of four years was established, as well as a scientilic course of three years, while the commercial was improved. The school now entered upon a career of wonderful,prosperity. Mem- bership in its ranks became an honor much appreciated. Athletics began to flourish. A High School boy was no longer an object of scorn anywhere. Our old-time rivals, the private schools, awoke from their haughty indiffer- ence to find a lively youngster among them, claiming and able to win honors upon the field and in scholastic achievements. I