Moravian Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Moravian Academy |
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Merle-Smith Campus: 4313 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18020
Downtown Campus: 7 E. Market Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018 Swain Campus: 1100 S 24th St, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103, United States
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| Information | |
| Type | Independent, Coeducational, and College Preparatory School |
| Motto | More to Explore |
| Established | 1742 1971 |
| Founder | Benigna Zinzendorf |
| Campus Director | Merle-Smith Campus - Rachel Wright
Downtown Campus - Abby Mahone Swain Campus - Megan Franzyshen |
| Head of school | Adrianne Finley Odell |
| Faculty | 173 (on a FTE basis) |
| Grades | Preschool – 12 |
| Enrollment | 910 (2022–23) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 6:1 |
| Campus | Suburb Urban |
| Color(s) | Red and Gold |
| Athletics conference | Colonial League |
| Mascot | Lion |
Moravian Academy is a school for students from preschool all the way to 12th grade. It's an independent school, meaning it's not run by the government. Boys and girls learn together here, and it helps students get ready for college. You can find it in the Lehigh Valley area of eastern Pennsylvania.
It's also one of the oldest independent schools in the United States, ranking as the ninth oldest! More than 900 students attend Moravian Academy, and about 200 adults work there. The school has three different campuses in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Contents
Discovering Moravian Academy's History
The story of Moravian Academy began a very long time ago, in 1742. Here are some important moments in its history.
The Early Years: 1700s
- 1742: Countess Benigna Von Zinzendorf started the Moravian Seminary for Girls. This was the very first part of what is now Moravian Academy.
Growing Strong: 1900s
- 1971: Two schools, Moravian Preparatory School and Moravian Seminary for Girls, joined together. This created the Moravian Academy we know today. Each spring, students celebrate this special merger with a "Birthday Love Feast."
- 1972: The first group of students from the newly merged school graduated. There were 39 graduates that year.
- 1992: Moravian Academy celebrated its 250th birthday!
The Swain School's Story
- 1929: D. Esther Swain opened her own school, called the Swain School. Every year, the school celebrates its opening on "Founder's Day." Dogwood trees are planted to honor D. Esther Swain.
Modern Times: 2000s
- 2020: Moravian Academy and the Swain School merged. This created one large school with three campuses. These campuses are now called the Merle-Smith Campus, Downtown Campus, and Swain Campus.
- 2022: Adrianne Finley Odell became the first woman to lead Moravian Academy as its Head of School.
Learning at Moravian Academy: School Sections
Moravian Academy is divided into different sections based on age and grade level.
Beginning School: First Steps in Learning
The Beginning School is for the youngest students. It includes preschool and kindergarten classes. These classes are held at both the Downtown and Swain Campuses.
Lower School: Elementary Grades
The Lower School is for students in first through fifth grades. Like the Beginning School, these classes are also located at the Downtown and Swain Campuses.
Upper School: High School Years
The Upper School is where older students attend. It serves students from ninth through 12th grade. This section of the school is located at the Merle-Smith Campus.
School Leaders: Guiding Moravian Academy
Henrietta Benigna Justina von Zinzendorf founded the school in 1742. Since then, many people have led the school. Here are some of the past and current heads of the school:
- Reverend Edwin Sawyer (1971-1973)
- David J Devey (1973-1988)
- Peter Sipple (1988-1998)
- Barnaby Roberts (1998-2007)
- George King (2007-2016)
- Jeffrey M. Zemsky (2016-2022)
- Adrianne Finley Odell (2022-present)
Famous People Who Attended Moravian Academy
Some students who went to Moravian Academy later became well-known for their work:
- Sally Kohn: A writer and speaker who shares her opinions on politics.
- Santo Loquasto: An actor and designer who has won a Tony Award for his work in theater.
- Gilmer McCormick: An actress.
