Albany Academy

ALBANY ACADEMY, 44, Cumberland Street West (off Woodlands Road). Mr. James N. McRaith, Head Master.

    It can hardly be matter for great surprise that, as a rule, our Private Schools have not been able very successfully to compete with the School Board either in respect to the accommodation provided or the instruction given. There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule, and conspicuous amongst these is the Albany Academy, so pleasantly situated off Woodlands Road at 44, Cumberland Street, West.

    For a time, perhaps, it shared, with all similar institutions, in the general decrease in attendance, but so firmly was this school rooted in the public esteem, so noted had it become for the high-class character of its teaching and excellence of its results, and so many were the advantages it had to offer in the shape of accommodation and apparatus, that a reaction soon set in, and the Albany Academy, under the able management of Mr. James N. McRaith, the much-respected head master, enjoys to-day a very large and gratifying measure of popular patronage and support.

    The building is a very noble, commanding-looking structure, and, having been specially erected for educational purposes, is provided with everything calculated to render it an institution of the highest class. The class-rooms are large in proportion to the number of pupils to which each class is limited, and are heated and ventilated on the most approved principles. The sanitary arrangements have been most carefully attended to and all that science and skill could suggest done to ensure the comfort and convenience of the boys whilst attending the school. Attached to the school premises there is a large playground, and, that the pupils’ recreation may not be interfered with through wet or inclement weather, a large play hall has been provided and suitably furnished. A field has also been secured at Anniesland for the use of those pupils who may wish to play football, cricket, lawn tennis, &c., and such arrangements are made as secure that there shall be no undue interference with the regular work of the class-room. At such times the boys are always accompanied by one of the masters.

    The course of study is a very full and comprehensive one and is designed to give the boys a complete and thorough training in those subjects which now go to form what is called a liberal education. The curriculum extends over ten years and embraces an elementary and a secondary course of instruction. In the first course great care is taken to secure a thorough mastery of the English language. The pupils, besides being drilled in spelling and pronunciation, are from the earliest stages taught the meaning of the various words and phrases employed in the lesson, and are thus trained to read with intelligence and expression. Mr. McRaith has this department under his immediate superintendence and manifests remarkable ability in stimulating and maintaining the pupils’ interest in their work.

    Writing is begun at an early stage and very special attention paid to the formation of a good style. Mr. J. McIntyre has charge of this department, and is to be congratulated upon the success which has invariably attended his efforts. Arithmetic is carefully taught and its principles explained, so far as they can be, to the understanding of the smaller boys. Special prominence is given to the four simple rules so that a sound basis may be laid for the teaching of the higher branches. Mr. McRaith has been fortunate enough in securing for the mathematical department in both courses the valuable services of Messrs. R. McDougall and D. Jack.

    In the secondary or higher course the pupils receive a training calculated to fit them for prosecuting with advantage their studies at the University, or for entering at once upon the duties of a mercantile life. By confining attention to a limited number of branches, selecting only such as are admitted to be of the highest importance, and placing each under the charge of a gentleman who has made it a speciality, the pupils are enabled to carry on their studies under the most favourable conditions.

    Amongst such selected subjects Latin and Greek occupy a prominent place not only on account of their own intrinsic value, but because of their great usefulness as exponents of the English language and value in the acquisition of many modern languages. French also receives a large share of attention, as being, on the whole, the most generally useful of modern languages ; and German, which, according to the curriculum of the school, is reserved until a later stage, can, if so desired, receive equal attention with French.

    The higher departments of Mathematics are also very carefully and fully studied, and for pupils going direct from school to business, a special course has been provided for the purpose of acquainting them with the various forms and calculations in actual use among merchants at present. Drawing, Shorthand, and other subjects are taken up in different classes, the whole forming one of the most complete and thorough courses of instruction possible, and it must be a source of gratification to all interested in the true well-being of the Academy to know that so many of its former pupils have taken good places at the University and are filling with credit positions of responsibility in the professional and mercantile worlds both at home and abroad.

    At present there are about 200 boys attending the school, and, for the convenience of those who come from a distance, luncheon is provided on the premises.

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