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It is fascinating to delve into the beginnings of a private school. It's when the school is so malleable and strongly influenced by its founder's zeal and lofty goals. The community is tiny compared to what it will morph into over the years, indeed over the centuries, in some cases. The hardships and sacrifices that are endured are almost unimaginable in this day and age. when new schools seem to pop out of a delivery box that is fully funded and all set to go.

I hope you will explore these five schools against the backdrop I have set out above. They are unique, as private schools always are. They have great personalities, characters, and rich histories. Yet they share a common theme and purpose: to provide their students the best well-rounded education so that their graduates can make a difference in today's world.

• Founded in 1881
• Number of students: 436
• Grades PK-12: Boys and girls day school PK-8.
• Girls boarding and day: 9-12
• Religious Affiliation: Nonsectarian
• Setting: Urban

Overview: The school was established by an Episcopal bishop. James Paddock with the financial support of businessman Charles Wright. Bishop Paddock named the school in honor of Wright's daughter, Annie. The school was a girls' school until the earthquake of 1949 damaged Lowell School, the local boys' school. AWS set up temporary quarters for boys. The coeducational program expanded to 8th grade in the 1970s.

AWS offers challenging academics, evidenced by

In this article, we examine five more remarkable private schools established with a vision supported by munificence. The Phillips Family, which established the Phillips Academies at Exeter and Andover in the 18th century, had the purest motives in mind. They understood that a well-educated citizenry would ensure the future of the very young United States of America.

"Above all, it is expected that the attention of instructors to the disposition of the minds and morals of the youth under their charge will exceed every other care, well considering that though goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous, and that both united form the noblest character, and lay the surest foundation of usefulness to mankind." Echols, Edward (1970). The Phillips Exeter Academy, A Pictorial History" Exeter Press

What was taught in these early schools? Remember that there were no schools in America when the colonists arrived. As a result, the early settlers did not have to follow traditions or laws governing their children's education. Since freedom from religious oppression was why so many colonists had left England, they ensured their religious teachings were the core of their academic curricula. Also on the list of subjects were useful skills such as simple arithmetic and spelling. Schools ran year-round.

Milton Hershey and Stephen Girard founded their schools at a different time in our nation's maturation. The industrial revolution had worked its wonders in the 19th century. But it has also created some social issues

5 Founders and Their 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Schools

Five founders of boarding schools changed American education forever—but you've probably never heard their names.

• So, when you look at the examples of these five founders of legendary boarding schools, you can only marvel at the sheer determination that each one had to make his or her dream come true.
• American boarding schools are some of the best in the world.
• In an age when everybody seems to be taking shots at America and what we stand for, that's an excellent statement.

Here, then, are snapshots of the founders of five boarding schools. They are an inspiration forever, as indeed are all the founders of boarding schools throughout the United States.

Maria Bissell Hotchkiss and The Hotchkiss School

Founded: 1891 Number of students: 598 Grades: 9-12, PG. Coeducational Religious Affiliation: Nondenominational Setting: Rural

• Maria Bissell Hotchkiss had inherited a fortune from her husband, Benjamin Hotchkiss.
• He made his money manufacturing guns.
• After he died, Mrs. Hotchkiss donated 65 acres in Northwestern Connecticut to establish a school for boys.
• She wanted the school to be a feeder school for Yale University in New Haven.

Her original gift of 65 acres expanded over time into a magnificent campus of 645 acres of pristine Northwestern Connecticut countryside.

• Mrs. Hotchkiss' munificence also established a generous financial aid program.
• This has permitted boys from families who could not otherwise afford to attend