School type Private Grades K-12 Phone +1 212-873-1650 Founder William Huddleston | Head of school John Allman Gender Coeducational Mascot Trinity Tiger Founded 1709 | |
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Motto Labore et virtute
(By hard work and virtue) Religious affiliation(s) Non-sectarian
Episcopal (historical) Address 139 W 91st St, New York, NY 10024, USA Profiles | ||
Trinity School is a highly selective independent, preparatory, co-educational day school for grades K-12 located in New York City, USA, and a member of both the New York Interschool and the Ivy Preparatory School League. Founded in 1709 in the old Trinity Church at Broadway and Wall Street, the school is the fifth oldest in the United States and the oldest continually operational school in New York City.
Contents
- History
- Academics
- Athletics
- Ivy Preparatory School League championships
- Independent Schools state championships
- Performing arts
- The Senate
- Clubs
- Notable attendees
- References
In April 2010, Forbes Magazine named Trinity the best college preparatory school in the United States.
History
Trinity School was founded by William Huddleston, working under the aegis of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in 1709 as a charity school for Trinity Church. Originally open to both boys and girls, classes were held in Trinity Church in lower Manhattan, but in 1749, Trinity moved into its own building across the street. The building burned down two months later and had to be rebuilt. Columbia University, then King's College, was founded in that building's first floor. Trinity traditionally educated its students for Columbia given their close ties.
In 1789, Trinity's 56 boys and 30 girls were under the instruction of John Wood, clerk of St. Paul's Chapel at 29 John Street. No longer a charity school, its tuition stood at seven dollars per quarter, in addition to a one guinea entrance fee. In 1838, Trinity closed admission to girls. Girls would not be readmitted until 1971. In 1889, Trinity School moved to 627 Madison Avenue (at 59th Street), and moved again a year later to 108 West 45th Street. In 1898, the trustees established the St. Agatha's School for Girls at 257 West 93rd Street as a sister school for Trinity. St. Agatha's eventually closed its doors.
In 1895, Trinity moved to its current location at 91st Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Trinity currently occupies six connected buildings: 151 and 149 West 91st Street house the admissions, advancement, and business offices; 139 West 91st houses the Lower School; 121 West 91st Street houses the Performing Arts Department, Middle School Science Labs, and Physical Education and Fitness Offices; 115 West 91st houses the Middle School and two gymnasia; and 101 West 91st houses the Upper School, the swimming pool, and the John McEnroe '77 Tennis Courts (opened in 2012).
Shortly before the completion of the new upper school building in 1968, Trinity severed its Episcopal ties with Trinity Church, and is now non-sectarian, thus receiving no endowment from the Church. The school does, however, retain an Episcopal priest who is paid by Trinity Church. He delivers weekly chapel services at the school, as well as the annual baccalaureate service held at Trinity Church each May.
The Wall Street Journal consistently ranks Trinity as one of "the top three" high schools in the United States, as measured by students' admission to exclusive colleges.
Academics
The Lower and Middle School courseloads are highly structured, and ninth and tenth graders are offered limited flexibility in their courses. Juniors and seniors, however, are much freer to flexibly select electives and other such courses. English is the only subject mandated through four years in the Upper School. Math is mandated for three, the languages for three, and the lab sciences for two. There is a requirement for religion and Physical Education. Trinity is also notable for having a full Classics department, which is widely recognized as one of the strongest in the nation. Nearly 40% of the student body takes either Latin or Greek, while more than 60% take two languages. Trinity offers AP classes in Statistics, Economics (macro and micro), Calculus, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, French Language, Latin Caesar and Vergil, and Art History.
Athletics
Fall
Winter
Spring
Ivy Preparatory School League championships
Independent Schools state championships
Performing arts
Trinity School has musical groups ranging from instrumental music: Jazz Groups, Orchestras and Chamber Ensembles, to vocal music: Choruses, both accompanied and a cappella. Musical performances figure in all three divisions with concerts, assemblies and chapel performances during the school day and in the evening.
The school also has a dynamic Dramatic Arts showing with performances ranging from plays to musicals - both as classes and as extra-curricular events.
The Senate
One of the most notable student organizations is the Trinity Upper School Senate. The Senate is composed of sixteen representatives; four Senators are elected annually from each class. The Senate is run by four officers: the President, the Vice-President, the Treasurer, and the Speaker. The Senate has existed since the late 18th century; Trinity Times and yearbook archives show the many iterations that the group has gone through such as a council of four class presidents, the Student-Faculty Senate, and the Community Meeting. The Senate oversees the majority of student life functions at Trinity and works with the administration towards improvements in the school.
Clubs
Trinity offers a variety of club program run by its students. The school offers clubs such as Debate, Model UN, Model Congress, Academic Quiz Bowl, and student-run publications. At the beginning of every year, Trinity holds a "Club Fair" for students to sign up for these groups. Service and support groups are also available for students to participate in. All clubs require a faculty advisor to oversee operations and organize potential trips or competitions. The school also offers a multitude of service opportunities, including language tutors, PS 84 tutoring, and various fund raising organizations like Baja Bound.