Schools The Public Schools of Yonkers were maintained in separate districts for some years after the city was incorporated, and were consolidated in a city system m 1881. At that time there were five schools in the city. Nos. 5, 4, and 1 were ungraded schools in the suburbs, and had only one room each. No. 3 was at Mosholu, in the section annexed to New York city. The children in the densely populated section of the city were in schools Nos. 2 and 6. Following consolidation the first published report of the superintendent was in 1882, and showed a total enrollment of 2,300, and an average daily attendance of 1,444. In 1890 the enrollment was 7,036, and the average attendance 5,177. The value of all the school buildings in 1882 did not exceed $130,000. The city now has 17 school buildings with an estimated value of $950,000. The present enrollment is 8,849, and the average daily attendance 6,474. The old buildings have been remodeled until the schoolhouses are thoroughly equipped, modern buildings meeting every requirement of scientific lighting and heating. All the large buildings are ventilated by fans and blowers. The houses are seated exclusively with individual seats and desks of modern construction. No city in the State of New York has better school accommodations. All text–books and supplies of every kind are free. The course of study from the kindergarten through the high school, is broad and thorough, and embraces cooking, sewing, and manual training. In the annual report for 1900 Hon. Charles R. Skinner, Superintendent of Public Instruction, stated that Yonkers demanded of its teachers the highest qualifications of any city in the State. In the selection of teachers educational qualifications, disciplinary ability, strength of character, experience and teaching ability are not only the final but only tests. Whatever merit the schools may possess is due largely to the high character and qualifications of its superintendent and corps of teachers. The high school has four distinct courses, and prepares pupils for bushess or college. It has sent students to all the leading Eastern colleges, which they have entered with excellent preparation. The Board of Education also maintains kindergartens during the summer vacation, and evening schools, where all comnmon branches are taught, besides cooking, architectural and mechanical drawing. The most efficient talent is engaged for the evening schools, to give the pupils the best facilities to supplement the defective preparation with which they are usually admitted. Efforts are constantly made to bring the school and the home closer together, and to establish cordial relations between teachers and parents. The discussions at the parents’ meetings, which are an established feature of school routine, convey to parents information of the aims and methods of instruction and development of the child sought by the school. The teachers learn something of the home life of the children and the influences by which they are surrounded.