Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School

Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School
Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School
Address 5 West 93rd Street
Town New York, New York, 10025
Established 1764
Community Urban
Type Private (Independent)

Principal: Dr. Richard Soghoian
Religion Non-Sectarian
Students Coeducational
Grades Pre-Kindergarten to 12
Total Enrollment 1101
Student/Faculty Ratio 7:1
Endowment $22 M.
Nickname Lions
Colors Blue and White
Publication Columbia Prep Journal, Olga, Flash, and Columbia Blue
Website http://www.cgps.org
4 West 93d

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[when?] 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 was the grammar school director (resigned 2010). The current grammar school director is Simone Hristidis. Sue Kilmer is the prep school director.

Contents

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.

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

5 West 93d Street

Columbia Grammar & Prep greatly expanded its physical plant after 1985. Three entirely new buildings and a fully renovated brownstone have, together with the existing buildings, added 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 the tree-shaded 94th 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.[1]

Since then, many brownstones have been added, one entirely for offices, and a building detected to the arts. A walkway is to be built behind the multiple brownstones to make them easier to navigate. In 2009 Columbia purchased several new brownstones, one entirely for the kindergarten, another for a science building, and one for administrative offices. Two new levels are being constructed in the 5th and 6th grade building. The prep school also added a new level to its library.

Headmasters

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

Alumni

Sports

Columbia Prep provides a wide range of high-quality athletics facilities intended for use by the entire student population. The north gymnasium houses both the volleyball and basketball courts. The south gymnasium houses volleyball and basketball courts, as well as a modern weight room with both cardiovascular and weight training machines. Across the street from the main gym is Columbia's swimming pool in addition to a smaller gymnasium.

Apart from on campus facilities, the Columbia Prep lions utilize many other athletic facilities in the New York metropolitan area. Randall's Island, Riverbank State Park, Roosevelt Island, Van Cortlandt Park, Central Park, The Columbus Tennis Center, Seawane Country Club and Tam O'Shanter Country Club are among the many complexes where the soccer, baseball, track, X country, and golf teams practice and compete.

Sports Teams
  • Boys Varsity Soccer
  • Girls Varsity Soccer
  • Girls Varsity Volleyball
  • Girls J.V. Volleyball
  • Boys And Girls X Country
  • Girls Varsity Swimming
  • Girls Varsity Basketball
  • Girls J.V. Basketball
  • Boys 7/8 Basketball B
  • Boys 7/8 Basketball A
  • Boys Freshman Basketball
  • Boys J.V. Basketball
  • Boys J.V. Soccer
  • Boys J.V. Baseball
  • Boys Varsity Basketball
  • Varsity Ice Hockey
  • Girls Varsity Softball
  • Boys Varsity Baseball
  • Boys Varsity Tennis
  • Girls Varsity Tennis
  • Boys And Girls Varsity Spring Track
  • Varsity Golf

References

  1. ^ "Our Campus" - Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School website
  2. ^ Noel Ashman at the Internet Movie Database
  3. ^ "Profile: Noel Ashman", CityFile (New York)
  4. ^ Menze, Jill, "The Postelles Go Indie for Long-Delayed Debut Album", Billboard magazine, June 10, 2011

External links

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