West Nottingham Academy facts for kids

West Nottingham Academy is a private school for both boarding and day students. It teaches students in grades 9 through 12. It was started in 1744 by Samuel Finley, a Presbyterian preacher. He later became the president of Princeton University.

The school's campus is about 124 acres (0.5 km²) and has many trees. It is located in Colora, Maryland, close to the Chesapeake Bay. This location is about an hour south of Philadelphia and 45 minutes north of Baltimore.

West Nottingham Academy says it is "the oldest boarding school in the United States." It has the oldest founding date of any school still open today. In 2023, the school worked to improve its financial situation.

Learning at West Nottingham Academy

West Nottingham Academy offers a program to help students get ready for college. This program focuses on teaching students how to think critically. Students take classes in arts, humanities, foreign languages, math, and science.

The school also has a special program called English as a Second Language (ESL). This program helps students from other countries learn English. About 25% of the students at West Nottingham Academy come from outside the U.S. They come from places like Japan, Australia, South Korea, and China.

History of the School

West Nottingham Academy Historic District
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district
West Nottingham Academy Historic District, April 2010
Location in Maryland Show map of Maryland Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Nearest city	Colora, Maryland
Area	85 acres (34 ha)
Built	1864 (1864)
Architectural style	Colonial Revival, Mid 19th Century Revival, Federal
NRHP reference No.	90001125
Added to NRHP	July 26, 1990

West Nottingham Academy has a long history. Many important people from early American times graduated from here. In 1744, Samuel Finley, an Irish Presbyterian preacher, came to lead a new church. This church was near the Octoraro Creek, close to what is now the Mason-Dixon line. The people lived on land called the Nottingham Lots.

Finley believed that to be a smart Christian, people needed to use their minds. He thought that minds could work best when trained. So, Finley was both a preacher and a teacher. He opened the school in 1744. It was a simple log building behind his home. A replica of this original building stands on the campus today.

After a few years, the church and school moved to their current spot. A two-story building was built for the school. When it burned down, a one-story building replaced it. This building was later destroyed by a storm. In 1865, the red brick J. Paul Slaybaugh Old Academy was built. It is still there today.

West Nottingham Academy was the first of many Presbyterian boarding schools. Over time, public education became common. The Presbyterian Church allowed most of its high schools to close. Some were turned into colleges instead.

Over the years, many new buildings were added or updated. These include the C. Herbert Foutz Student Center (1989) and the Patricia A. Bathon Science Center (2003). Dorms like Magraw Hall (2000) and Finley Hall (2002) were also renovated. In 2007, Rush Dormitory was updated and renamed Rush House. An outdoor meeting space called Durigg Plaza was also built. Rowland dormitory was renovated in 2008.

The main historic buildings at the school include the Old Academy, built in 1864. There is also the Gayley House from about 1830, and Magraw Hall from 1929. Other old buildings include Wiley House (around 1840) and Becktel House (around 1900). The school's historic area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

Sports and Activities

Even though West Nottingham Academy is a small school, it has many sports teams. Students can join:

• Soccer
• Basketball (Prep and Varsity)
• Lacrosse
• Wrestling (for boys and girls)
• Baseball
• Cross Country
• Volleyball
• VEX Robotics
• Tennis
• Chess
• Yoga
• Martial Arts
• Physical Education

The school also has a very successful Figure Skating program. Some students have even been part of Team USA. Michael Johnson, a former student, was on the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games Team.

Besides sports, students can join other activities. These include:

• Yearbook
• Theatre
• Photography
• Green Rams Environmental Club
• The school newspaper, The Arrow

All students at West Nottingham Academy are asked to take part in a sport or club. They do this for one part of the school year, called a trimester. This helps students stay active and healthy.

Famous Alumni

Many notable people have graduated from West Nottingham Academy. Here are a few:

• John Archer - an early politician from Maryland
• Josh Boone - a former professional basketball player in the NBA
• Austin Lane Crothers - a governor of Maryland
• John Filson - an author and one of the founders of Cincinnati
• Eric Fischl - a well-known artist and sculptor
• Ebenezer Hazard - served as the United States Postmaster General
• Michael Johnson - a figure skater who competed in the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics
• Peter H. Kostmayer - a former U.S. Congressman
• Alexander Martin - an early governor of North Carolina
• John Morgan - helped start the University of Pennsylvania Medical School
• Benjamin Rush - known as the Father of American psychiatry and a signer of the Declaration of Independence
• William Shippen Jr. - also helped start the University of Pennsylvania Medical School
• Richard Stockton - another signer of the Declaration of Independence