Italian born school children in Dunkirk had to deal with many problems, the biggest problem being the language barrier. It was also reported to be a main cause for non promotion due to the fact that they were inadequately prepared for the English language. Between the years of 1913 to 1916, 72 students born in Italy were attending Dunkirk schools. In 1915, 972 students described themselves as being Italian. This caused students to be inappropriately placed in the grades for their age groups. These numbers range from 25 children in the 1912-1913 school year to 47 the following school year, all the way up to 60 children in the 1914-1915 school year. Although all the students were not Italian, the assumption is that some of them were Italian.
Immigrant children
were not the only ones the Dunkirk school system worked with. A night
school was established in 1910 for the Italian, Polish, and Swedish immigrants.
185 registered students were placed in groups of the same nationalities.
Classes ranged from english and sewing, to typewriting and stenography.
Classes met three nights a week from 7:30 to 9:15. The city saw this
as a way to Amercanize the foreigners and help them in joining the
ranks of the American citizens. In five years the enrollment of students
tripled to 472 students. The night school budget for winter sessions
in 1911 was $414.30, this figure did not include the cost heating and electricity.
The students payed $2.50 per semester which was returned to them at the
end of the semester. The State Education Department contributed as
well by subsidizing the program in 1914 and 1915 with $205.83 contribution.
Tax revenues
provided the base for primary and secondary education with in the Dunkirk
School System. For example, the average school tax rate between 1910-1914
was $8.81. The average cost per pupil/day was $.24.
Dunkirk Schools
The following is a list of schools
from the Dunkirk area.
Elementary schools were divided
among wards. Upon completion of their primary education students could
attend a central Junior High School followed by High School.
School No. 1: (Grades K-6) Open
1857-1966
Location: E. Fourth and Washington
School
No. 2: (Grades K-6) Open 1866- 1939
Location: 113 Deer St.
School No. 3: (Grades K-6)
Open 1869-1950
Location: Maple Ave.
School No. 4: (Grades 1-6)
Open 1883-1953
Location: 752 Central
School No. 5: (Grades K-6)
Open 1869-1953
Location: Second St.
School
No. 6: (Grades ?) Open 1915
Location: information unavailable
Jr. High:
(Grades 7-8) 1908-?
Location: Swan St.
Academy:
(Grades 9-12) Open 1896-
Location: Eagle St.