Historic leaves, volume 5, April, 1906 - January, 1907

September 30 we have the first mention of the Prospect Hill grammar school, which is to be opened Monday, November 4, also the primary school there the same day; the salary of the master to be $600, payable quarterly. October 14 Cornelius M. Vinson was elected the teacher of this school, and December 30 a clock was voted for his schoolroom. The spring examination occurred April 9, 1840, at 1 p. m. The report adds: ‘Thus far this school has succeeded beyond the expectations of the board. During the winter the attendance was so regular and full that additional seats were necessary. The discipline was good.’ There has not been a blow struck at this school since its establishment. The number of scholars enrolled was sixty-two; average attendance, fifty-eight.

As the teacher at Milk Row had not given satisfaction, Miss Sarah M. Burnham was unanimously chosen to her place November 30. For the winter the teachers in the Russell and Gardner districts were Philemon R. Russell, Jr., and Stephen A. Swan, respectively. Mr. Russell received $120 for his services, and out of a total of thirty-nine pupils held an average of thirty. December 30 ‘John C. Hooper was chosen to the place made vacant by the death of Stephen A. Swan, who was drowned while skating on Medford pond the 25th instant.’

December 16 we read that a violent gale injured the new schoolhouse building within the peninsula. March 5, 1840, this new structure, which was of brick, was named the Warren school, to be used for both sexes. At this time the following districts were formed:—

The Bunker Hill, from Canal bridge to Walker street, and from Charles river to Medford river.

The Warren, from Walker street to Austin, Warren, and Cordis streets, and Everett street to Medford river.

The Harvard (girls) and Winthrop (boys), all south of this line.

The Warren school was dedicated Tuesday, April 21, 1840. The programme was as follows:—