The New International Encyclopædia/State Public School

STATE PUBLIC SCHOOL. A model institution at Coldwater, Mich., for the education and support of dependent and ill-treated children of the State. It was established by an act of the State Legislature in 1871, but was not formally opened until 1874. It is the object of this institution to receive, care for, educate, and place whenever possible in family homes all the dependent children of the State of sound mind and body between the ages of two and twelve. The board of control, however, has the discretionary power vested in it of admitting children under two, where circumstances warrant such an exception. Since its foundation it has received over 5000 children, and in 1902 there were in the school 155 inmates. The school is located on a farm of 160 acres, covered partly by orchards, ornamental trees, and gardens. The buildings consist of an administration building, schoolhouse proper, and nine cottages among which the inmates are distributed. This system of cottages, under the superintendence of matrons who are specially qualified for that work, has the tendency to foster a love for home life. The State of Michigan was first in establishing this type of school. Similar institutions have since been established in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Montana, Colorado, Wisconsin, Texas, Nebraska, Alabama, Rhode Island, and Nevada.