Chapter 35 cont. THE SCHOOLS ARE GRADED Shortly after the consolidation in may, 1858, of the district and the organization of the new school board, in July of that year, Mr. A. S. Kissell was appointed superintendent of the city schools. At that time he held the office of county superintendent. He filled the two positions for nearly one year and a half, relinquishing the county superintendency at the end of that time, but remaining city superintendent. Previous to holding these public positions he taught in the old Number 3 on West Third street, going with his school to the new building at Sixth and Warren. Some years since in an article on early Davenport schools The Democrat says: "The honor of organizing the graded schools of Davenport belongs to A. S. Kissell, then a young teacher of good education, fine enthusiasm and tireless energy. No recipient of the benefits of the Davenport schools should ever cease to venerate the memory of Mr. Kissell. He had his limitations, as all men have, but he was a great worker, an inspiring teacher whose whole life and purpose and thought went out to the upbuilding of our schools in our infancy." May 12, 1859, the board on the recommendation of Superintendent Kissell organized the public schools of the city upon the following plan: First - a primary school in every subdivision of the district. Second - two grammar schools, one to be located in School No. 2, and the other in School No. 3. Third - an intermediate school to be suitably located for those pupils in the city who are qualified to enter. It was further provided that all these schools should have such a course of study as the board might hereafter arrange. In july of 1859 Mr. Kissell was made principal of the intermediate school, taking on these duties as well as those of the superintendency. August 13 of that year a uniform course of study for all the schools below the intermediate school was devised and adopted. This course embraced what are known as the common branches and has been the substantial basis of the course of study in use up to the present time. In 1859 provision was made for only two years of the course planned for the intermediate school, and the curriculum included Latin grammar and translations, elementary algebra, English grammar, government and constitution of the United States, physical geography, physiology, book-keeping, penmanship, spelling, drawing and rhetoric. A very complete set of rules and regulations for the government of the schools, defining in detail the duties of the school officers, the superintendent, principals, teachers and pupils was drafted at this time. The wisdom of this early school board and the genius of Supt. Kissell show in the fact that the general plan at that time adopted has continued with little change to the present day. Naturally the course of study has been amplified as conditions justified but in general the original plan has been maintained. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/