Trinity School (New York City) - History

History

Trinity School was founded by William Huddleston, working under the aegis of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, in 1709 as a charity school for Trinity Church. Originally open to both boys and girls, classes were held in Trinity Church in lower Manhattan, but in 1749, Trinity moved into its own building across the street. The building burned down two months later and had to be rebuilt. Columbia University, then King's College, was founded in that building's first floor. Trinity traditionally educated its students for Columbia given their close ties.

In 1789, Trinity's 56 boys and 30 girls were under the instruction of John Wood, clerk of St. Paul's Chapel at 29 John Street. No longer a charity school, its tuition stood at seven dollars per quarter, in addition to a one guinea entrance fee. In 1838, Trinity closed admission to girls. Girls would not be readmitted until 1971. In 1889, Trinity School moved to 627 Madison Avenue (at 59th Street), and moved again a year later to 108 West 45th Street. In 1898, the trustees established the St. Agatha's School for Girls at 257 West 93rd Street as a sister school for Trinity. St. Agatha's eventually closed its doors.

In 1895, Trinity moved to its current location at 91st Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Trinity currently occupies six connected buildings: 151 and 149 West 91st Street house the admissions, advancement, and business offices; 139 West 91st houses the Lower School; 121 West 91st Street houses the Performing Arts Department, Middle School Science Labs, and Physical Education and Fitness Offices; 115 West 91st houses the Middle School and two gymnasia; and 101 West 91st houses the Upper School, the swimming pool, and the John McEnroe '77 Tennis Courts (opened in 2012).

Shortly before the completion of the new upper school building in 1968, Trinity severed its Episcopal ties with Trinity Church, and is now non-sectarian, thus receiving no endowment from the Church. The school does, however, retain an Episcopal priest who is paid by Trinity Church. He delivers weekly chapel services at the school, as well as the annual baccalaureate service held at Trinity Church each May.

In 1946, the Trinity-Pawling School was named in recognition of its ties to Trinity.

The Wall Street Journal consistently ranks Trinity as one of "the top three" high schools in the United States, as measured by students' admission to exclusive colleges.