History of Gardner, Massachusetts/Schools
Schools.
In 1787, the town was divided into four school districts, and granted twenty pounds to be expended in schooling. Previous to that time what education the children received was given in a private capacity; for nine years the schools were kept in dwelling-houses. In 1796, the town granted 250 pounds to build school-houses.
In 1818 the town was new districted and divided into six school districts; the school money has been increased from year to year until the present time, when $2,000 is appropriated to that use. The people of Gardner attach great importance to the system of common school education; this may be noticed in their school-houses, all of which have been built new, or repaired within a few years. In 1858, district No. 1 erected a beautiful and commodious house, with four departments, at a cost of $10,000. In the same year, district No. 3 erected a house with three departments, at a cost of $5,000. Much pains has been taken in selecting teachers, giving the children and youth an opportunity to acquire an education sufficient to qualify them for the active business of life. A high school is often kept in the center of the town. There is also a fund of $1,000, belonging to the south village, the income of which is to be paid for the support of a school. The donor was Abijah M. Severy. We find from the report of the School Committee, that in the year 1858, the number of public schools kept in town was twenty-five; an increase in number of six over the preceding year; their average length was six and a half months.
The number of persons in town between five and fifteen years of age, according to the last enumeration, was 482.