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Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School

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Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School
Address 5 West 93rd Street
Town New York, New York, 10025
Established 1764
Community Urban
Type Private (Independent)
Religion Non-Sectarian
Students Coeducational
Grades Pre-Kindergarten to 12
Total Enrollment 1101
Student/Faculty Ratio 7:1
Nickname Lions
Colors Blue and White
Publication Columbia Prep Journal, Olga, and Columbia Blue
Website http://cgps.org/index.php

Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School ("Columbia Prep", "CGPS", "Columbia") is the oldest non-sectarian private school in the United States, located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan (5 West 93rd Street), in New York City, New York. It was founded in 1764 by Columbia University in order to properly prepare incoming freshmen in the fields of English, Greek, and Latin grammar. By 1865, the school had grown substantially and was no longer connected to the university.

The school was originally known as The Grammar School of King's College (relating to the former name of Columbia University), changing its name concurrently with the university during the American Revolution to Columbia Grammar School, adding the word preparatory in 1978. While grammar and preparatory have differing connotations, the entire school is known by its full name.

The school has existed in several locations over the centuries. In 1906, the school moved to its current location on 93rd Street, off Central Park West. It originally consisted of one building, adding five brownstones through the merger of the adjacent Leonard School for Girls in 1950. A building across the street was built in 1984, followed by two more in 1997 and 2001. Furthermore, an administration building was recently added to the school. In the past 10 years, the average size of the graduating class has more than doubled from approximately 45 to approximately 110.

The current headmaster is Richard Soghoian, holding that position since 1981. Dr. Stanley Seidman is the grammar school director. Sue Kilmer is the prep school director.

History

Columbia Grammar School was founded in 1764, just ten years after the founding of Kings College (later Columbia University). Originally established as a boys preparatory school for the college, it functioned for one hundred years under the direct auspices of the college.

One of the most illustrious headmasters during that period was Dr. Charles Anthon, one of America's earliest and most distinguished classical scholars. During his tenure the Grammar School provided over half the students to Columbia College's freshman class.

In 1864, when Dr. Anthon retired as headmaster, the Trustees of Columbia College terminated their relationship with the Grammar School and the school became a proprietary institution, only achieving its non-profit status in 1941.

In 1937, the Leonard School for Girls was founded, using several interconnected brownstones on West 94th Street (now part of the lower school). The school joined with the Grammar School in 1956 to become a coed institution.

As only the 13th headmaster in the school's long history, Dr. Richard Soghoian has guided the physical expansion of the school from its 1905 home at 5 West 93rd Street to the present complex, which includes two high school buildings and an additional brownstone joined to the grammar school buildings.[1]

Accreditation

Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School is a fully independent, non-sectarian school governed by a Board of Trustees composed of alumni and parents. The school is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the New York State Board of Regents.

The Campus

Columbia Grammar & Prep has enjoyed over the last two decades a major expansion of its physical plant. Three entirely new buildings and a fully renovated brownstone have, together with the existing buildings, given the school wonderful academic facilities as well as two new theaters, several computer labs, a variety of art studios and space for a growing music program. The Grammar School is located in a series of five interconnecting brownstones on 94th Street, a lovely tree-shaded street just off Central Park, and the original Columbia Grammar School building (1905) at 5 West 93rd Street. In addition to classrooms, these house two libraries, two art studios, a gymnasium, swimming pool, two music studios, a science lab, a computer lab, and the Grammar School cafeteria.

The school began its expansion in 1984 with the construction of a new preparatory school at 4 West 93rd, containing a full-sized gymnasium, three science labs, state-of-the art computer lab, library, three music studios and nine classrooms.

In 1996, 36 West 93rd Street was completed, adding 42,500 square feet (3,950 m2) of space to the physical plant. This building, which goes through from 93rd to 92nd Street, has two computer labs, five art studios, library, science labs and classrooms for grades 5 and 6, a fully equipped theater, and a large cafeteria. However, due to the schools increasing size, the cafeteria has been unable to seat all the students and staff. This problem has led to a substantial increase in the number of students who choose to have lunch outside of school.

In September 2001 a major addition was added onto the high school containing yet another full-sized gym, a state-of-the-art theater, and three floors of classrooms and science labs. 5 new classrooms were also added. [2]

Headmasters

  • John Ogilby
  • Dr. Charles Anthon (served until 1864)
  • Dr. Richard Soghoian (is the current and 13th headmaster)

Selected Graduates

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