Albemarle County (Virginia.) A hand book giving a description of its topography, climate, geology, minerals, fruits, plants, history, educational, agricultural and manufacturing advantages, and inducements the county offers the industrious and intelligent farmer and manufacturer |
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 | Albemarle County (Virginia.) |  |
Free Schools.
NO OTHER COUNTY possesses educational advantages
equal to those of Albemarle. Its free school system
has almost overcome the prejudices engendered by the
great changes wrought by the war, and is rapidly attaining to
that high standard of excellence and efficiency which has
always characterized its numerous private schools for males
and females.
The public school system was organized in Albemarle
county by D. P. Powers, County Superintendent, during the
winter of 1870-'71. Fifty-seven schools, 38 for whites and 19
for colored, were opened with an enrollment of 2,268, and an
average attendance of 1,443 pupils. The cost was $9,258.15.
The average length of the term 4.52 months, and the value
of the school property then owned by the county was only
$114.62.
In 1875 the number of schools had increased to 90, of
which 57 were for whites and 33 for colored. The enrollment
was 4,036, and the average attendance 2,136 pupils. The
total cost was $21,061.70, and the average length of the term
was 6.68 months. In 1880 there were 101 schools in operation,
62 for whites and 39 for colored. Enrollment 4,155, and
the average attendance 2,539 pupils. The total cost was
$21,958.11, the average length of the term being but six
months. In 1885 there were 124 schools open, 77 for whites
and 47 for colored, for which there was expended $26,215.13.
The enrollment was 5,228, and the average attendance 3,169.
The average length of the term was 6.32 months.
During the session just closed, 1887-'88, 81 schools for
whites and 50 for colored, making a total of 131, were in
was 3,207. Although the schools in several places were
severely interfered with by measles, the average length of the
term was 6.1 months. $27,165.34 was expended for the work,
$17,682.34 by the State, $9,483 by the county.
The county now owns between sixty and seventy good
school houses, and others are now in preparation for building.
The value of the property has increased from $114.62 in 1871
to $25,000.
In the city of Charlottesville and the town of Scottsville
there are good graded schools, and in the country districts
there are a number of schools employing two teachers.
The average pay per month of male teachers is $34.50
while females receive on an average $27.50.
Every community possesses a public school, which is patronized
by all classes, the system deservedly increasing each
year in popularity, as a consequence of the zeal and enthusiasm
of the estimable ladies and gentlemen who compose the
corps of teachers.
| Albemarle County (Virginia.) | |