MECHANICAL SCHOOL - VOCATIONAL EDUCATION Wood Shop Electrical Wiring Pattern Making Print Shop Drafting Pattern Making Sheet Metal Shop Foundry Auto Mechanics Machine Shop Paint Shop Cabinetry
________________________________________
GIRARD COLLEGE AS A MECHANICAL SCHOOL.
One of the great wants of our country is a system of education where the mechanic artist shall be taught, so that boys who have to leave school will know more about the important art of earning a living. Girard College students are taught enough of the useful trade arts to enable them to support themselves. Girard College was the leading institution for giving instruction in the mechanic arts in the United States! It was mandated in Stephen Girard’s Will that Girard College will provide vocational training for its orphan boys in the useful trades, and for the school to find places as apprentices for them upon their graduation!
By the educational mandates of Stephen Girard, it was imperative that every boy shall be bound as an apprentice to some trade! Girard believed that no matter how good an academic education - it no longer insured the means of livelihood for its students.
Girard College was to embody in their system of education not only for an academic education but also for vocational training! Every orphan being offered a choice of trades, according to his capacity and intelligence.
Stephen Girard believed that "the hands need to be educated as well as the head,” in order for students to become useful citizens who will foster a spirit of self-confidence and independence upon their graduation from Girard College.!