Sayre School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sayre School |
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United States
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| Coordinates | 38°02′53″N 84°29′38″W / 38.048°N 84.494°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent,Private |
| Motto | "Make Your Mark." |
| Established | 1854 |
| Head of School | Stephen Manella |
| Enrollment | 610 total (PS-12) |
| Average class size | 14 students |
| Student to teacher ratio | 7:1 |
| Campus | Urban; 10 buildings |
| Athletics | 40 sports teams offered at the Varsity, Junior Varsity and Middle School level (grades 6-12) |
| Mascot | Spartan |
Sayre School is a private school in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. It welcomes both boys and girls. The school teaches students from age two all the way up to the twelfth grade. About 610 students attend Sayre School. There are 68 full-time teachers who help students learn and grow.
Contents
History of Sayre School
How Sayre School Began
Sayre School was started by David A. Sayre in November 1854. Mr. Sayre was a successful banker from New Jersey. He and his wife, Abby, wanted to create a school for girls. They met with other important people in Lexington to plan the school.
In the fall of 1855, the school moved to its current spot on Limestone Street.
Changes Over the Years
For many years, Sayre was only for girls who lived at the school. This is called a boarding school. In 1876, boys were allowed to join as day students in the younger grades. This happened under the leadership of Major Henry B. McClelland.
In 1914, another nearby school joined with Sayre. The school's name changed to Sayre College and Conservatory of Music. During a tough time called the Great Depression, the school faced challenges. But in 1942, it grew again by adding Hamilton Grammar School. The name changed back to Sayre School, and it stopped offering college degrees. You can still see "Sayre College" on the pillars outside the main entrance.
In 1947, the high school grades were stopped for a while. The rooms where students used to live were rented out to the University of Kentucky. Then, in 1961, Donn D. Hollingsworth became the headmaster. He brought back the high school, starting a "New Era" for Sayre.
Recent Updates
From March 2017 to summer 2018, Sayre School rebuilt its lower (elementary) school building. This made the learning spaces even better for younger students.
Learning at Sayre School
School Divisions
Sayre School has three main learning sections. These cover students from age 2 up to the 12th grade.
- The Lower School is for young children. It includes a preschool program for ages 2–5. It also has Kindergarten through Grade 4.
- The Middle School is for students in grades 5–8.
- The Upper School is like a traditional high school. It includes grades 9–12.
Advanced Classes
The Upper School offers 17 Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These are college-level classes that students can take in high school. Many Sayre students do very well in these courses. In fact, 85% of seniors who took an AP class earned a good score of 3 or higher. This shows that Sayre students are well-prepared for college.
Sayre School Community
Where Students Live
Since Sayre is no longer a boarding school, most students live at home. They come from Lexington, Kentucky and nearby areas. These include Scott, Bourbon, Jessamine, Madison, and Woodford counties. Some students even travel more than an hour from places like Fleming, Estill, and Wolfe counties to attend Sayre.
Famous People from Sayre
Many notable people have attended Sayre School. These include:
- William Lipscomb, who won a Nobel Prize.
- Laura Clay, a woman who worked for women's right to vote.
- Katherine Pettit, who started settlement schools to help communities.
- Actors like Josh Hopkins, Ashley Judd, and Leah Lail.
- Byrd Spilman Dewey, a well-known writer.
Sports at Sayre School
The Spartans Teams
Sayre School's sports teams are called the Spartans. Their school colors are blue and gold. Sayre has a special rule for its sports teams: it's a "no-cut" policy. This means that any student who wants to play a sport can join a team, no matter their skill level.
Football Success
In 2018, former NFL quarterback Chad Pennington became the coach of Sayre's new football team. In his first year, the team had a 3–5 record. The team continued to improve. In 2023, the Spartans had an amazing season, winning all 10 of their regular season games. They made it to the quarter-finals in the 1A tournament. This strong performance continued into the 2024 season. The Spartans won their first Class 1A State Championship, which was a huge achievement for the school!
