Richard Fry, then Principal of the West St Clair school, distinguished himself by his writings through the press, and his speeches at public meetings, in advocating the claims of the High School, and thus powerfully sustained its friends in their unpopular contest. The law authorizing a High School limited the whole course to two years, and required one year's previous attendance at one of the grammar schools.
In 1851, a regular course of instruction was adopted, extending to three years, but still confined to English studies. In 1856, the Latin and Greek languages were introduced, and in 1859, the German was added to the full course. These ancient and foreign languages were optional with the students, as well as the French language, which was introduced some years later.
The first graduated class consisted of ten scholars, eight of whom afterwards became teachers. Indeed, it soon became evident that the High School was not only the best, but almost the only reliable source of supplying teachers for the subordinate schools, which were fast increasing. The extreme difficulty of procuring competent and reliable teachers had, all along, been one of the greatest embarrassments in carrying forward a course of instruction, extensive, thorough, and heretofore almost unknown west of the mountains.
The original design of one central High School was found to be unsuited to the extended territory on both sides of the river, and two High Schools were substituted.
The East High School building was completed and opened in 1856. The West High School was first opened in the Kentucky street building, and continued there for several years, until in 1861, the new building was completed.
In 1861, Mr. Freese was relieved from the superintendency which had become too laborious for his declining health, and L. M. Oviatt took the management for two years, when he was succeeded by Anson Smyth, formerly State Superintendent. On his resignation, Mr. Andrew J. Rickoff, of Cincinnati, was called to the position. Under his management important changes in the classification and management of the schools have been introduced.
The prominence given to Messrs Bradburn, Willey and Freese, in the history of the public schools, is not intended to disparage or undervalue the services rendered by many others, without whose hearty and efficient co-operation the whole undertaking would have failed. Prominent among these cooperators were J. D. Cleveland, J. Fitch, Dr. Maynard, Harvey Rice, Bev. J. A. Thome, T. P. Handy, W. D. Beattie, (since deceased,) R. B. Dennis, Ansel Roberts, L. M. Oviatt, and Thos. Jones, Jr.
In 1868, there were eighteen male, and one hundred and thirty-nine female teachers employed in the public schools of the city, making an aggregate of one hundred and fifty seven. The total number of pupils enrolled was 10,154. The average number belonging to the schools, 7060, and the average daily attendance, 6623.
[Illustration: Yours Truly, Harvey Rice]