THE SOUTH.
Rev. Joseph E. Roy, D.D., Field Superintendent.
Prof. Albert Salisbury, Superintendent of Education.
LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.
BY PROF. GEO. F. JEWETT.
Nearly every one knows of the far-famed blue grass region of Kentucky. It is seventy miles south of Cincinnati, and fifty miles east of Louisville. Lexington is in the very heart of this fertile country, eighty miles south of Cincinnati, on the Cincinnati Southern R.R. The country excels in the production of corn, potatoes and thorough-bred stock, and it is said that the finest horses in the United States are raised in this region. Lexington is one of the oldest towns of Kentucky and has a population of 16,500, of which one half is colored. Although Kentucky did not take a very active part in the late war, yet at its close the provisions for the education of the colored people were as meagre as in other States.
Last June the Association decided to re-open the school, and accordingly the building was repaired. The cut given herewith represents the house in its present shape. On the first floor there are two large school-rooms capable of seating fifty pupils each, two large entries and two coat rooms. On the second floor there are two large school-rooms which may be thrown into one by means of folding-doors, thus forming our chapel. There are also two small recitation-rooms. In the front of the building there is a hall and stairway. The house is also provided with a large bell, which is a great help in securing punctuality. Our school numbers 133, 38 males and 95 females. There are 31 above 16 years of age. None are admitted below the fourth reader. The school is divided into three grades—high school, first and second grammar grades. Miss H. C. Minton is teacher of the first grammar grade, and Mr. C. H. Jewett of the second. Our scholars are not far advanced, because of the very poor advantages which they have had; yet they are a class of well-behaved and earnest pupils.
The discipline of the school is very easy. The scholars respect their teachers and seem to consider the school a means by which they are to rise. Our school-house is far superior to any building in the city for colored schools. This gives us a great advantage. We are obliged to turn away many from the lower grades. The State has just passed a law making the salary of white and colored public-school teachers equal. This makes it important that the colored teachers should fit themselves better for their work. Our school is intended to offer them opportunities for doing this work.