Allen Stevenson School

History

The Allen School was founded in 1883 by Francis Bellows Allen at a home on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. Its first class enrolled only three boys. In 1885, the school moved to rented rooms at Madison Avenue and 44th Street with an enrollment of 20 boys. In 1904, Mr. Allen met Robert Alston Stevenson, a tutor, who by chance had taken a room at 509 Fifth Avenue, where the School was then located. In 1904, Mr. Allen and Mr. Stevenson joined forces and then moved to 50 East 57th Street with 100 students. By 1918 enrollment exceeded 200. The School published its first newspaper, The Spotlight, and introduced an exercise program and team sports.

In 1924, the School purchased two brownstones for a new schoolhouse and moved to its present location on the Upper East Side. In 1939, Mr. Allen retired at the age of 80, after 56 years of service. In 1947, Mr. Stevenson retired after 43 years of service. His son, Robert "Huck" Alston Stevenson Jr., who had taught at the School, succeeded him as Headmaster.

In 1950, Joseph C. Rennard became Headmaster of Allen-Stevenson and served for nine years. The School introduced team sports at Randall's Island and required boys to wear navy blue blazers and gray flannel pants. In 1959, Henry Dyer Tiffany, Jr. became Headmaster until 1974. Under his leadership, a modern science lab and a paneled library, a gift from the Bell family, were added.

Allen-Stevenson's school song was composed by music teacher Rolande Schrade in 1968.

In 1974, Desmond Cole became Headmaster and served for 16 years. During his tenure, he created the Middle School division.

In 1983, The Allen-Stevenson School celebrated its first 100 years and published The Allen-Stevenson Centennial Album. Around that time an East 77th Street addition, designed by A-S parent Alfredo De Vido, was built onto the school.

In 1990, the Board of Trustees appointed David Trower as Allen-Stevenson's seventh Headmaster. In 2001, Allen-Stevenson launched its first website to improve communication about the School.

In 2007, a total renovation-expansion of the school interior was completed, which preserved the school's Classical Revival brick and Victorian brownstone facades according to New York Landmarks Preservation Commission guidelines for the Upper East Side Historic District.

In 2008, School completes year-long celebration of 125th Anniversary. The Board of Trustees approves Allen-Stevenson and Its Community, a policy statement about inclusion and community life.

In 2009, Allen-Stevenson is twice recognized for its work on energy and the environment, first with a coveted Energy Star rating by the U.S. Department of Energy and then by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for LEED Gold Certification for Existing Buildings (EB).[1] This makes Allen-Stevenson the very first elementary school in the United States to achieve LEED-EB Gold status.

Athletics

Fall - Soccer, Football and Intramurals

Winter - Basketball, Wrestling, Ice Hockey, and Winter Track

Spring - Baseball, Lacrosse, Track, and Intramurals

There are also dance and wellness programs.

Arts

Allen-Stevenson offers art, shop, music and theatre programs for grades K-9. These include Art and Shop, Orchestra, Chorus, and Technical Theatre programs.

Headmasters

1. Francis Bellows Allen (d. November 3, 1952) - 1883-1939, joins with Mr. Stevenson in 1904
2. Robert Alston Stevenson - 1904-1947, becomes full-time Headmaster after Mr. Allen leaves in 1939
3. Robert “Huck” Alston Stevenson Jr. - 1947-1949, son of Robert A. Stevenson, Sr., takes over when his father retires after 43 years.
4. From 1949 to 1950, Cesido Ruel Simboli Ph.D. fills in as acting Headmaster while another one is being selected. He appears as “Acting Headmaster” in the 1950 yearbook.
5. Joseph C. Rennard - 1950-1959, introduces navy blazers and gray flannel pants.
6. Henry Dyer Tiffany, Jr. (b. 1910, d. 1994) - 1959-1974, adds modern science lab and a paneled library to the school.
7. Desmond Francis Patrick Cole (b. 1924, d. 2008) - 1974-1990, expands the science program, introduces micro-computers, and creates the Middle School division.
8. David Ross Trower - 1990–Present, appointed by the Board of Trustees.

Notable alumni

Allen-Stevenson in the News