Weber County is divided into school districts, presided over by a County Superintendent (Prof. L. F. Monch holding the position at present,) who holds his office for two years. The school matters in each district are under the direction of three trustees, one of which is elected annually and holds his office for three years or until his successor is qualified, thus making the board continuous by leaving two practised trustees in office each year. With the exception of one lately organized, each district, of which there are sixteen, is well supplied with a good, comfortable schoolhouse, constructed either of brick, stone, adobe, or lumber. Some of them are very commodious and neat in their architectural designs, while all are seated with comfortable desks either home-made or imported, the latter of the best patents. The walls of nearly all of these are adorned with maps, charts, black boards, clocks, in fact all necessary appurtenances usually found in well-regulated district schools. Several of the districts have beautiful groves planted near the school houses, protected with substantial fences. The teachers are generally graduates from the Central School, a few from the University of Deseret. The following statistics were reported in 1882: Number of children in County between 6 and 18 years 3,913. Number enrolled in schools 2,946, or 76 per cent. Number of days schools have been in session, 160. Amount paid teachers, $12,513.85. The average attendance exceeded sixteen out of the thirty-eight States in the Union, prominent among which are New York and New Jersey. The number of days schools have been in session surpassed twenty-nine States, prominent among which are Maine, Vermont, Delaware, and others of the older and leading States. In actual enrollment Weber County surpassed thirty States, among which are Maine, New York, New Hampshire, Connecticut, California, and others too numerous to mention. The average monthly pay of teachers surpassed nineteen, being about $56 on an average per month.
Ogden City is noted for having the finest school building in Utah as well as the best regulated common school system. This building is of the modern style of architecture, constructed of brick and lumber and trimmed with white free stone, the whole being surmounted by a beautitul dome of the Roman-Corinthian style. It is a two-story building, being about 54 x 70 ft. ground plan. It has four large rooms capable of seating about 90 pupils each, with five recitation rooms and a large commodious hall running through the center of the building. The basement is devoted to a heating apparatus whence the whole building receives its caloric in winter. The house is seated with the best patent desks and is well supplied with school apparatus, including a fine piano and organ. It every successive year receives the graduates coming out of four other public school buildings, located in different parts of the city, and having a seating capacity of about 100 pupils each. They are also comfortable buildings, being well supplied with the best patent furniture and general school appliances. The schoolgrounds are ample, well protected with fences, and each has a beautiful grove of shade trees connected with it.
The schools are graded up to the Central School and are under the management of a principal (Prof. L. F. Monch) who in turn acts under three active trustees. There were eleven teachers employed during the winter term. The enrollment was about 800 pupils out of a school population of 1,400. Realizing that there were four other (sectarian) schools in session in the city, each claiming to have an enrollment of 100 pupils, there must have been about 1,100 pupils enrolled out of the 1,400 in one single term, or the remarkable number of 80 per cent. In addition to the common branches taught in the Central School there were classes in Geometry, Algebra, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Physiology, Astronomy, Civil Government, and History of France and England.
The School of the Good Shepherd in Ogden is situated on the corner of Young and Fourth Sts., and is under the charge and control of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Ogden. The school was founded in September, 1870, by the Rev. Mr. Gillogly and placed under the charge of Mahlon N. Gilbert who remained as principal for two years and was suceeeded by the Rev. Mr. Wilcox, who resigned after one year and whose place was taken by the Rev. Mr. Tallman who was principal for two years. The school then came under the control of the Rev. Chas. G. Davis who has been in charge since 1875. The total enrollment of the school has been something in the neighborhood of 1,000, and the yearly enrollment is now about 175. There are three departments, the primary, intermediate, and high-school, under the care of four teachers. The new building which they now occupy was erected in 1877, and if the school goes on growing will soon be too small to accommodate the pupils.
The Presbyterian School, which is held in the church building on the corner of Fourth and Franklin Streets, was organized in 1878, with Mrs. Gallagher, the wife of the clergyman then in charge of the church, as principal, who, after holding the position for over a year, was succeeded by Misses Olmsted, Campbell, Scovel, Ellis, Dickey, and Vaughn, the latter of whom is now in charge. The branches of study pursued are those in use at most of the public schools, and the school has met with the most flattering success, owing to the energy and efficiency of the teachers and the system of tuition adopted by them. The school was first held in Peery's Hall, but on the completion of the present church edifice the school was moved thereto and has been there since.
The Sacred Heart Academy situated in this city is one of the finest schools in the country and is located in one of the most attractive localities in Ogden. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and is in every way an ornament to the city. The buildings were erected in 1878, under the direction of the Very Rev. L. Scanlan, V. F. of Salt Lake City, and on September 16th of the same year it was opened for educational purposes by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, from St. Mary's Academy, Indiana, in whose charge it has since been. The building, spacious and commodious, is well suited to its purposes while the salubrity of the fresh mountain air is conducive to the health of the inmates.
Though under the care of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the school is claimed to be non-sectarian as regards the influences brought to bear on non-Catholic pupils. It is a boarding as well as a day school, and every effort is made to promote the health and happiness, as well as the moral and intellectual interests of those committed to the care of the Sisters, who offer the advantages of a thorough education to young ladies entrusted to their care. Prizes of various descriptions are offered as incentives to emulate study and lady-like deportment among the pupils. The course of studies pursued embraces all the English branches as well as foreign languages and music and in fact, the curriculum is as complete as can be found in any school in the country where the best advantages are offered.
The school has met with the most gratifying success, having an average attendance of about 200, day scholars and boarders. Besides the young ladies, the Sisters also take as pupils boys up to the age of twelve years, who, in a separate building, have all the educational advantages of the institution.
The school under the charge of the Methodist Society of Ogden is the youngest of the denominational schools of the city, and has labored under some discouraging circumstances, but is now in a flourishing and permanent condition. It was originally organized in 1874, but after a hard struggle was obliged to close, owing to great competition and the lack of sufficient means to carry on the enterprise. However, in September, 1880, it was reorganized, under the charge of Prof T. W. Lincoln, of Salt Lake City, who continued as its principal until April, 1881, since which time it has been under the superintendency of the Rev. A. W. Adkinson, the Pastor of the Methodist Church, here, and its present success is greatly due to his efforts. Mr. Adkinson has two assistants, one in charge of the primary, and the other of the more advanced department. The course of study pursued embraces the ordinary common school branches, and also the science of bookkeeping, as well as the study of the Constitution of the United States. The fall term of the school opens on the first Monday in September.
SACRED HEART ACADEMY,
OGDEN, UTAH
UNDER THE CHARGE of SISTERS of the HOLY CROSS.
For Boarders and Day Pupils.
THE COURSE OF INSTRUCTION, COMMENCING WITH
the elements of Education comprises all the branches taught in first-class institutions. No interference with the persuasion or creed of non-Catholic pupils is permitted. Boys up to the age of twelve years can enter and receive in a separate department all the advantages of the institution. No uniform is required; wardrobe optional. Letters to and from this house subject to inspection. Drawing and painting in oil and water colors form extra charges. All tapestry and fancy work with plain sewing taught free of charge. Languages, general vocal and drawing lessions free of charge.
For terms and full particulars inquire at the Academy or address