- A Young Ladies' Academy--Part 1

This is where Andi Carter, the main character of the Circle C Adventures series for kids, shares about her life and adventures in the Old West of the 1880s. Photobucket

Sep. 5, 2008

A Young Ladies' Academy--Part 1

Posted in School Days

While doing research for San Francisco Smugglers, I learned some interesting facts about day (and boarding) schools for young ladies. These places were not cheap, especially for the 1800s.
Here are some prices for "Sarah Mather's School for Young Ladies" in Augustine, Florida:

--Pupils under age 12, $200 per year
--Pupils over age 12, $300 per year (I guess they eat more?)

That may not look expensive, but those are just the basic prices. Add to it these subjects:
--Languages, each one an extra $25
--Music, $50
--Drawing and painting, $50

Day students were less--$30-$40 a year

Oh, washing cost extra (somebody does your laundry).
Each student must bring a spoon, a fork, and a napkin with them (What? No knives?)

School began on October 15 and went through July 15.

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Here is a sample of what was taught at "Mrs. T. Butler's Boarding School for Young Ladies":

English
French
Writing,
Arithmetic
History
Geography
the use of Globes
Needlework

A student could also take:
Italian
Music
Singing
Dancing
Drawing

Thanks, but count me out!

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Next time, all of the delightful RULES for proper etiquette in a young ladies' academy.

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Comments

Sep. 5, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by BookLover

Wow! I would rather wash my own clothes than have to pay but I suppose if you are a "young lady" you wouldn't do that... LOL!
Amy

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Sep. 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Lyric

No German? "Use of globes"? Wha...? I could use a globe without a silly class on it!

And no knives. Well, count Lyric out!

Let's see what lovely rules she would break...

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Sep. 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by sunflower8