History
of Elementary Education
in
New
Jersey
For this topic,
I picked the town of Woodbridge, New Jersey to use as an example of what
elementary education was like when New Jersey was first colonized.
Many of the first schools in Woodbridge were either religious schools,
or private schools that charged tuition. The first school building
that opened in Woodbridge was semi-private and built in 1793. However,
the early settlers were determined to provide an education for all their
children. Many led campaigns for free public education, and struggled
against churches and taxpayers. Eventually it paid off, and Woodbridge
was granted free school lands for public education.
In 1890,
the public voted to build their first public school building. School
Number One housed grades 1 - 11 of Woodbridge Township. Classrooms
were lit with kerosene lamps, and were very cold and uncomfortable.
Dunce caps and hickory sticks were commonly used for disciplinary reasons.
Teachers had specific sets of rules in
which they were to clean their classrooms, attend church regularly, and
uphold an acceptable public image. Subjects taught to students consisted
of reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic. The principle of School
One was paid $100.00 a month, the vice principle was paid $600.00 for 11
months, and teachers were paid $400.00 for 11 months of service.
School One still survives today and
is currently used as the Woodbridge Township board of education building.
School
One is a perfect example of the early education system that would become
the growing one that presides in New Jersey today.
Please feel free to look up more
information on Woodbridge
Township schools and their history. As well as the education
system in New Jersey.
School Number One was the first
public school building built in Woodbridge Township.
This is what a typical New Jersey classroom looked
like around 1793. Imagine what it must have been like to work in
such cramped quarters on backless seats all day long!