History

“St. Peter’s Day School” opened at the current location in 1834 as an adjunct of St. Peter’s Church, built in 1761. In the walled pews of St. Peter’s Church, George Washington and John Hancock worshipped during the deliberations of the Continental Congress. The School’s objective in the 1800’s was to combine secular and religious instruction for local children. “Girls and small boys” attended the Day School classes throughout the year with only Christmas, Easter and August as vacations. In the early years, tuition was twelve and a half cents per week and the curriculum included spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and sewing. During the decades of the 19th century, St. Peter’s Day School increased in space. The institution filled four row houses along Lombard Street, remaining a hub of school life for the Society Hill neighborhood as it is in this century.

In 1903 the Day School became “St. Peter’s Choir School,” significantly changing direction from the original mission. An eminent organist and choirmaster, Dr. Harold Gilbert, was employed in 1915 to head the School, and his tenure lasted until 1960. Under Dr. Gilbert’s direction, the boys’ Choir School became one of the more prominent of its kind in the United States. To this day, many of our students continue to take part in the St. Peter’s Church Choir in addition to their activities at the School.

In 1959 the Choir School became “St. Peter’s School for Boys,” instructing children in the Third through Ninth grades. Despite many good intentions, the School had some trouble meeting its goals after the shift in the early 1960’s. Then, 1964 brought weighty changes to the School as it returned to co-education and changed its name to “St. Peter’s School.” Soon afterward, in 1967, Caroline E. Seamans was appointed as the first full time head of School. The School separated from St. Peter’s Church and was incorporated as an independent school. Miss Seamans carried the School into a new era, helping to plant the seeds of what we have now.

Throughout the 1970’s and beyond, St. Peter’s School expanded its space to accommodate the growing needs of the greater number of children. The original 18th century townhouses gradually changed to the school as we see it now. The School joined with the Friends of Old Pine Church to raise funds and build the Old Pine Community Center. We continue to use the gymnasium and additional space there. The Robert B. Blum Library, an expanded computer lab, new playground, refurbished Alumni Theater, new Science Lab, refined entryway, and the opening of spaces within the school building help support the School’s modern mission. As the more visible changes took place, our curriculum, spirit and philosophy also evolved to create the St. Peter’s School of today.