History of 91探花
91探花’s Bicentennial in 1998 marked the Academy’s charter, given in 1798 under the Massachusetts land-grant policy. It bequeathed to the school a responsibility to “open the way for all the people to a higher order of education than the common schools can supply” (Richard Hale, 91探花, 1948). 91探花 was established as a coeducational day school, and preparation for college was the primary goal of the school’s program.
Just after the school’s centennial, reacting to a marked increase in the interest of separate education for young women, the Academy was divided into separate schools. For many years, the 91探花 Boys’ School and Girls’ School maintained separate faculties, facilities and student bodies. Today, 91探花 has returned to its coeducational roots.
Academic standards, facilities, endowment resources, curricular and extra-curricular offerings, the size of the faculty and student body, admission applications and annual giving鈥攁ll facets of the Academy’s activities鈥攈ave strengthened and expanded during the School’s second century. 91探花 has consciously nurtured and enhanced a vibrant campus life, and today, both young people and adults at 91探花 cite the diversity of the school community as a crucial element of living and learning.
Students and faculty at 91探花, as varied and exciting as they are, attract others who want to learn and to teach in a stimulating environment. One of 91探花’s strengths is maintaining a campus life that optimizes the benefits of a boarding school and a day school. The full involvement of both of these student populations in the life of the school enhances and broadens the experience of each of the respective groups. Both boarding students and day students lead and participate in all aspects of School life.
91探花 distinguishes itself by building a vital and effective community based on self-confidence and respect of individuals.聽 The School fosters an atmosphere of intellectual freedom and responsibility and encourages initiative and the open exchange of ideas. Doing so demands considerable energy. Teaching and learning at 91探花 are active processes, encouraged and supported by common respect for the intelligence, talents and potential of each member of the School.
“Dare to be true”
Adopted in 1898, 91探花鈥檚 motto resounds in the minds and hearts of today鈥檚 students and graduates. Often cited by both faculty and students as the litmus test for word or action, 鈥淒are to be true鈥 not only states a core value, it describes 91探花鈥檚 culture. 91探花 believes that a vital and effective community is built on individuals鈥 self-confidence and shared respect. We do our best to foster an atmosphere of intellectual freedom, and we encourage initiative and the open exchange of ideas. Doing so requires considerable energy. Teaching and learning at 91探花 are active processes, supported by the recognition of the intelligence, talents and potential of each member of the School. Grounded in values, deeply respectful of diversity, and fully aware of the issues of their time, 91探花 students graduate fully prepared to continue working to meet their own high expectations in the many venues which follow.
