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State police soon established some facts. Some of the older boys paid no tuition because Duncan was "indebted to them or their families." Left mostly to shift for themselves, they had ganged up on the younger ones, appointed a steward, "coach," and "doctor" of their own.
At week's end all but five of the boys had been sent home. Teacher Newton quit. Owner Virgilio started a $15,000 property suit against Duncan.
How Could It Happen? Unlike some states, Massachusetts has no supervisory body for private schools, leaves accrediting solely to local school committees. Almost the only checkup is an annual questionnaire concerning enrollment, attendance, courses. Building inspectors come around only when alterations are made; they did not bother Duncan because he made none.
Observed Porter Sargent, famed Boston educational adviser and editor of the authoritative Handbook of Private Schools: "There are much worse schools than [Duncan]. There is a whole underworld of schools."