Teachers in the early days were seldom hired for more than a month at a time and the wages varied according to the number of pupils, with male teachers usually receiving somewhat more than the ladies. Spirited vote was always taken over the matter of the length of the summer and winter terms. The older pupils went for a four to five month winter term, often until they were eighteen or older. The youngsters went for the summer session. This would seem to be a rather logical solution to the economic demands of the day, but would also call for a change of teaching tactics varying with the seasons, accounting in part perhaps for the rapid teacher "turnover."
The first school in the town of El Paso was in a private home on the site of the Dwight Roth residence at First and Pine Streets in late 1856. Twenty pupils, of whom Jennie Fishburn, later to become an early educator was one, were taught by Mrs. Cooper, an aunt of E. Handley King. In 1857 the old east side school was built. This was one-room building at first, and was taught by Henry H. Hewitt. Very soon conditions became so crowded that Jennie Fishburn volunteered to help at the school and by 1861 she was regularly employed at $10 per month. Rooms were added when the need arose, and also small buildings on the present Miss Olive Engel and Desmond properties were erected to take care of the swelling school population.
"Pay" schools also supplemented the early public schools and mention is made in the El Paso True Patriot of September 9, 1865 of Mrs. Packard's Select School. In the November 8 issue of that same year there appeared this advertisement for the school:
I would respectfully inform the citizens of El Paso and vicinity that the increasing numbers and interest of this school has made it necessary to engage an assistant and I have been fortunate in securing the services of Miss Georgia Robinson from the corps of teachers from the popular institution for young ladies, Miss Ward's Seminary of Bridgeport, Conn., and can now offer all the advantages of a thorough academical course of education and assure my patrons that no pains will be spared in the formation of character in scholars put under my care. Terms of tuition: Primary, $4.00; Common English branches, $5.00; Higher English branches, $6.00. English composition, rudimental and practical vocal music and penmanship will receive special attention. Extra charges will be made for Greek, Latin, French, Drawing, Painting, piano and guitar instruction. Pupils from abroad may readily obtain board with home privileges. (signed) Mrs. Dr. Packard, Principal.
Another ad for a "select" school appeared in the March 18, 1869 issue of the El Paso Journal. M. M. Patton and E. M. Carlton, teachers in the west side public school proposed to open a select school on the kindergarten principle during the months of July and August at the rate of $2.50 per pupil. They pointed out that they did not propose to open the school unless sufficient interest was shown. September 12, 1900, Mrs. Jennie Fishburn Young announced in an ad, the opening of her school and said that young ladies from outside could be accommodated with "rooms and boarding" in her home. Her school had been in operation for some years at that date and was continued until 1912 or after.
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