Stuart Hall School

Stuart Hall School
Address
235 W. Frederick St. Staunton , Virginia 24401 United States
Information
Type	Independent Secondary, Boarding
Established	1843
Head of school	Mark H. Eastham
Grades	PK–12
Campus	Urban, 8 Acres
Color(s)	Red & White
Nickname	Dragons, Stu
Accreditation	Virginia Association of Independent Schools
Affiliation	National Association of Independent Schools
Website	Stuart Hall School
Old Main
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Virginia Landmarks Register
Location	235 W. Frederick St., Staunton, Virginia
Area	less than one acre
Built	1865 (1865)
Architectural style	Greek Revival
NRHP reference No.	74002246
VLR No.	132-0011
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	August 13, 1974
Designated VLR	February 21, 1974

Stuart Hall School in Staunton, Virginia was founded by the Episcopal church as Virginia Female Institute in 1843. It was renamed in 1907 in honor of its most famous headmistress, Flora Cooke Stuart, the widow of Confederate cavalry leader Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart.

History

Originally named the Virginia Female Institute, Stuart Hall has its origins in Mrs. Sheffey’s 1831 school, which held classes in her Staunton home.

During the American Civil War the school’s building was used to house the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind while VSDB’s building was being used as a hospital. During this time students attended classes in a nearby home in Staunton.

Old Main is a two-story, five bay, brick Greek Revival style building completed in 1846. It features an impressive two-story, three bay, Doric order portico with a simple heavy frieze supported by four paneled piers. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. "Old Main" is a common nickname for Stuart Hall. It is located in the Newtown Historic District.

Under the direction of Mrs. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart from 1880-1899, the school persevered through the economic and social times following the Civil War. Mrs. Stuart revised the curriculum and raised the standards of scholarship.

From 1899 to 1915, the principal was Maria Pendleton Duval, Mrs. Stuart’s cousin, and the first faculty advisor to ELA, the student group that founded the library in 1882. Under Miss Duval’s leadership, the school was renamed “Stuart Hall” in 1907 and was expanded to include grades K through 12 with boys being admitted into the lower school.

In 1940 the Lower School was discontinued. In 1992, the School opened a Middle School serving male and female day students in grades 6-8. In 1999 boys were accepted as day students into the Upper School. In 2007, Stuart Hall School merged with Hunter McGuire School and again became a K-12 independent school.

Current operations

Stuart Hall is a private boarding and day school. It provides girls' boarding, (grades 8-12,) and co-ed day schooling (grades 5-12). The school's "new wing," which was completed in 1997, includes science classrooms, a gym, a new foyer and locker rooms. In 2008-2009 Stuart Hall merged with the local private elementary school Hunter McGuire School. Stuart Hall now serves students in grades PK-12.

Stuart Hall boarding students come from all over the United States. Stuart Hall (known by the students as STU), also boards international students who come from several countries and continents outside of the US, including Canada, Africa, Korea, China and Mexico. Stuart Hall is located near Mary Baldwin College, at 235 W. Frederick Street in Staunton. Because of this proximity, students in 11th and 12th grades have the opportunity to participate in classes at the College.

The students and staff participate in traditions that existed since the school first opened. Most of the traditions, such as Ring Banquet (giving of the class rings), Junior-Senior Banquet, Loving Cup, and even graduation, are planned by students and faculty members. The school also holds the Red and White competition, which is a friendly competition between students and faculty which helps promote school spirit.

Notable alumni

• Marijane Meaker, novelist, best known as an author of YA books under the pseudonym M.E. Kerr
• Anne McCaffrey, science fiction author
• Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA
• Nancy Massie Meadows, First lady of West Virginia, 1949-1953
• Anne Carter Lee,Daughter of Confederate General Robert E. Lee
• Eleanor Agnes Lee, Daughter of Confederate General Robert E. Lee

Notable Heads of School

Its principal from 1847 to 1848 was Benjamin Blake Minor (1818–1905). Henry Scharf (1822–1887) was Instructor of Elocution in early February, 1872.

External links

• School Website
• The Association of Boarding Schools profile