Established 1834 Faculty 43 Average class size 10 Mascot Cardinal | Headmaster Shawn Kelly Enrollment 200 Phone +1 215-925-3963 Number of students 200 | |
Type Independent, Coeducational, Non-Sectarian, Preschool (age 3)-Eighth Grades Address 319 Lombard St, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA Motto Academic Excellence since 1834 | ||
St. Peter's School is an Independent, Coeducational, Non-Sectarian day school, serving students in Preschool (age 3) through Eighth Grade. Founded in 1834 it is located in the Society Hill neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for children ages 3–14.
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For the 2012-13 academic year, St. Peter’s School enrolled 208 students in grades Preschool through Eighth and had 48 faculty members for a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
On July 1, 2012, Mr. Shawn Kelly became the new headmaster at St. Peter’s School.
History
St. Peter's School has operated since the early 18th century. It was formally founded in 1834 as an adjunct of St. Peter's Church. It became a choir school, educating boys of all races and combined musical training with academic preparation. St. Peter's School became coeducational in 1964, becoming a fully independent, non-denominational school.
Headmasters
1915 - 1960 Harold Gilbert
1960 - 1964 Reverend Joseph Koci, Jr.
1967 – 1991 Caroline E. Seamans
1991 - 1993 David Murray
1993 - 2000 Melissa Vosburgh
2000 - 2012 David J. Costello
2012 – Present Shawn Kelly
Academics
St. Peter's School is divided into three divisions: the Early Childhood Division, Preschool (age 3) to Kindergarten (ECD); the Lower School, 1st to 4th Grades; and the Upper School, 5th to 8th Grades.
The major goal of the Early Childhood Division is academic and social skills, and Language Arts, Math, Science, French, Yoga, Art, and Music.
Lower School core subjects are Technology, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts. Special subjects include Music, Art, French, Library, and Physical Education.
Upper School students follow an in-depth curriculum, including English, Math, Science, History, French, Physical Education, Art, Music, and Computer Technology. The Upper School Science curriculum includes Design Thinking, Innovation, high school level Chemistry in the Seventh Grade. During Eighth Grade, each student spends the year reading the works and life of one of four authors: Shakespeare, Dickens, Twain, or Austen. Prior to Graduation, students prepare a fully researched folio on the chosen author.
Declamation is an important academic tradition at St. Peter's School. Beginning in First Grade, each student chooses, memorizes, and recites poetry in front of his or her peers on a monthly basis. St. Peter's School is divided into three divisions: the Early Childhood Division (ECD), the Lower School, and the Upper School.
Athletics
The athletics curriculum is mandatory for all students and includes Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Hockey, Lacrosse, Softball, and Track and Field. Dance instruction is offered as part of the school's traditional celebrations. Upper School students are coached in Swimming and compete on the school's Soccer,Cross Country and Basketball teams. St. Peter's regularly participates in interscholastic competition with: Frankford Friends, Greene Street Friends, Moorestown Friends, and The Philadelphia School.
Facilities and Campus
Main Building is located at 319 Lombard Street, housing academic classrooms, Admissions, Innovation Lab, Science Lab and Administrative Offices.
The Alumni Theater is for performances, assemblies, Declamation, and special events.
The Robert B. Blum Library is available to all students, beginning in Preschool, for their weekly Library class. During their time in this traditional library setting, students enjoy books read aloud and then have the opportunity to select a book to borrow.
The Computer Lab houses both Macintosh computers and a PC laptops for use in any classroom. Wireless internet access is available throughout the campus. Formal Technology instruction begins with typing in Kindergarten and grows throughout the Lower and Upper School to include programming, presentation, and online research skills.
Gymnasium: St. Peter's School's sports facilities include a regulation sized gymnasium and locker rooms located at the Old Pine Community Center. Physical Education classes for all students grades K-8 take place in the gymnasium, as do home basketball games. Old Pine Community Center houses the school's indoor athletic facilities and sits just across 4th Street from the school's main academic building. St. Peter's School maintains full use of the center's gymnasium, open rooftop recreation space, and Wasson Hall meeting space.
The Sally Wiggins Turf Field is a large green space on campus which houses a playground and organic gardens. The School uses the West Lawn and the nearby athletic fields at Starr Garden for outdoor athletic activities. Festive events are also held on the Wiggins Field throughout the school year.
St. Peter's Church and St. Peter's School share a long history. Although the two institutions separated formally in the 1960s and St. Peter's School became a fully independent non-denominational school, the two institutions continue to share physical facilities. The school uses the church for School Assemblies also known as "School Service", and annually for the Celebration of Light, and Graduation.