19th Century Education (Paths #32)

Summary

This script explores the evolution of public education in Montgomery County, highlighting its initial lack of priority before the Civil War. It details the establishment of private academies like Rockville Academy and the gradual emergence of community-funded schools. The script emphasizes the pivotal role of Quaker communities, the founding of Sharp Street School for African Americans, and the transition to a countywide public education system. By the 20th century, Montgomery County saw its first public high school, marking a significant milestone in educational access.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Pre-Civil War Montgomery County did not prioritize public education for children.
• 📚 A countywide education system was established in 1860, with state organization following five years later.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Early 1800s education was limited to those who could afford private academies or were not needed for farm work.
• 🏛️ Rockville Academy, established in 1812, was one of the earliest private institutions for boys.
• 👩‍🎓 Brookville Academy, incorporated in 1815, used a small stone building until a home was purchased in 1864.
• 🌐 Academies often began in private homes, such as Brierley Hall and the Andrew Small Academy.
• 🤝 Communities in the 1800s started to collaborate to educate children, building schools and hiring teachers.
• 📈 The Quakers of Sandy Spring were committed to education, establishing Sherwood Academy as a co-educational Quaker school in 1883.
• 🏢 Sharp Street, initially an industrial school for African Americans, opened in 1866 and evolved into a primary school.
• 📘 In the early 1800s, students wrote with slate and soapstone pencils, and textbooks were copied by hand.
• 💼 In 1861, Montgomery County's public schools had 1070 students, with $8.10 spent per child and teachers earning around $288 annually.

Q & A

What was the status of public education for children in Montgomery County before the Civil War?

Before the Civil War, public education for children in Montgomery County was not a high priority and there was no countywide system in place.

When was the first countywide education system established in Montgomery County?

A countywide education system was established in Montgomery County in 1860.

How did children in Montgomery County receive education in the early 1800s?

In the early 1800s, children in Montgomery County might have received education if their family could afford a private Academy or if they were not needed on a farm.

What was one of the earliest private institutions for education in Montgomery County?

One of the earliest private institutions for education in Montgomery County was the Rockville Academy, established in 1812.

Which group was highly committed to education in Sandy Spring during the 1800s?

The Quakers of Sandy Spring were highly committed to education in the 1800s.

When did Sherwood Academy, a co-educational Quaker school, begin?

Sherwood Academy began as a co-educational Quaker school in 1883.

What was the significance of Sharp Street School in the context of Montgomery County's educational history?

Sharp Street, initially known as the Sandy Spring Industrial School, was the first organized school for African Americans when it opened in 1866.

What materials did students in the 1800s use for writing before textbooks were available?

Students in the 1800s used slate and soapstone pencils to write with before textbooks were available.

How did students create their own textbooks in the early 1800s?

In the early 1800s, students created their own textbooks by neatly copying every lesson, lecture, and example.

What was the approximate amount spent on each child for public education in Montgomery County in 1861?

In 1861, approximately eight dollars and 10 cents was spent on each child for public education in Montgomery County.

When did the first public high school open in Montgomery County?

The first public high school in Montgomery County opened in 1904.