历史 & 传统

vwin德赢娱乐 had its beginning in the midst of the struggle that surrounded the birth and growth of a new nation. The bell tower and the bell that announces the beginning of each school year have become symbols of continuity and perserverance. 前两位“校长”,” James Dove and Hilarius Becker, had far different approaches to education. Dove held fast to the authority of the paddle and sarcasm; while Becker was almost “modern” in his style, using kindness and empathy to cajole his students into learning. Becker was much praised for his sensitive teaching style, and soon a one-Headmaster school was growing steady.

The bell was cast in England and brought over on the tea ship "Polly" in 1774. Because of the unrest in Philadelphia at that time, “波莉”转过身来, 货物完好无损, 返回英国. It was not until 1784 that the bell was returned and placed in the bell tower. 风向标, with its crown of England and copper ball, attests to its presence during the War for Independence by the scars it bears from musket balls fired by British soldiers. They had occupied the area and used the school building as a hospital for a brief time during the Battle of Germantown. The troops of General Howe's Third Brigade used the playing fields for the first cricket match played in America.

The second English Master in the school's history, Peletiah韦伯斯特, devoted much of his energy to improving the quality of education offered; at the same time he encouraged the board of managers to seek a charter from the state. The charter was granted in 1784 to the "Public School of Germantown," which remains the Academy's corporate title to the present day.

The Yellow Fever epidemic of 1793 made it necessary for President George Washington and his cabinet to leave Philadelphia for the higher altitude of Germantown. 在他居住期间, 他的内阁在学校开会, where he later enrolled his adopted son, 乔治·华盛顿·帕克·柯蒂斯, 作为一名学生.

As early as 1767 instruction for girls was proposed. In 1797 a second attempt was made to enroll girls. 1831年. 布朗森·奥尔科特, educator and father of Louisa May Alcott, was Master and 19 girls were registered at the Academy. This venture was soon terminated, and for the next 125 years only young men were graduated. Head masters of great quality, such as Dr. William Kershaw who stayed at the helm for 38 years and Dr. 塞缪尔·E. 奥斯本工作了33年, were able to establish a tradition of academic excellence, and the school graduated men of dignity, 毅力, 和诚实.

It was natural for a school that had been a part of the colonial period of American history to choose red, 白色, 和她的颜色一样蓝. 然而, in 1875 the 白色 was changed to black as a tribute to the assassinated President Abraham Lincoln and to the Academy boys who had served their country in the war. The colors remain red, black and 蓝色的 today.

1958年12月, one year before the bicentennial of the Academy, the Board of 受托人 voted to accept the offer of Robert McLean of 160 acres of rolling meadow and woodland in 华盛顿堡. It was agreed that in order to serve the whole community, the Academy should enroll both boys and girls as had been done in earlier years. Here in 华盛顿堡 we have had an opportunity to create buildings and playing fields for more than double the number of students than could be accommodated in Germantown.

1965年9月, through the generous efforts of the 受托人 and Friends of the Academy the move from Germantown to 华盛顿堡 已经完成.

During the middle part of the 19th century, boys who were students at vwin德赢娱乐 formed a cricket team to compete against other local cricket clubs. In those days, hats were used to distinguish each team. Around 1870, the GA Cricket Club team chose red, 白色, and 蓝色的 as their colors.

他们很快发现, 然而, that the 白色 on their caps turned to yellow after extensive play in the hot weather. 这可能无关紧要, except that one of their rivals, 费城板球俱乐部, 穿着红色的衣服, 蓝色的, 和黄色. Late in the season the two teams were practically indistinguishable.

Around 1875, our boys at the Academy decided to clear up that confusion. 当时, the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln, 1865年被暗杀, had ascended to legendary status. Seeking both to distinguish itself from a rival team and to connect GA in still another way to our country’s history, the cricket team changed its colors to red, 蓝色的, and black in tribute to our fallen leader.

The current GA colors were founded. 然后, in 1887, the school held its first 一整天, a tradition that we still carry on in the 较低的学校. As part of the celebration, the Academy developed its first red, black, and 蓝色的 flag.

Tracing back as early as the Revolutionary War, the Belfry has always sat atop the administrative building. Representing outstanding academics, 自由, 和骄傲, the bell still tolls every year at the start of school and commencement. The Belfry remains the iconic symbol for vwin德赢娱乐.

Harkness tables are more than just round tables in the 上学校. They provide a forum for learning and debate. The Socratic Method, learning by debate and inquiry, is a philosophy that GA embraces. Individuals graduate from GA knowing that they have their own voice and are obligated to use it.

GA-PC天 is the oldest rivalry between two independent schools in the United States. 始于1886年, vwin德赢娱乐 meets Penn Charter in November for a day of athletic competition which culminates in the GA-PC football game. A beautiful exhibit of both schools' art adds to the festivities. GA-PC天 is also a time when alumni gather together.

一整天 is a 较低的学校 tradition that began in the 1960s. It can also trace its roots all the way back to the 上学校 Tug of War from 1875. The entire 较低的学校 is split between Red and Blue 团队. Once a student is assigned to a team, they are on that team for life. All students parade around the school and then on to the fields for a morning of fun competition.

J. Heffenstein梅森, 1901届，大约1910年, our proud school song is rehearsed and known to all students, starting with the very youngest in 较低的学校. Its unifying tone is used to celebrate and mark the bigger moments of each school year – starting with 升旗 and ending at Graduation.

冰雹! 我们的母校
我们向日耳曼城歌唱，
珍贵的记忆，
Which ‘round thy old walls cling.

愿你光荣的灵魂，
永远留在你的忠诚的人，(*)
带领我们走向胜利，
虽然敌人寡不敌众.

那么，无论发生什么事，
我们将一起站立，
通过一个纽带，
一个共同的冲动，伟大.

叫我们一起来，
当我们大声疾呼，
向敌人挑衅，
你的灵魂不死.

(*) – the single lyric “Ones” replaced “Sons” after the school became fully coeducational in the late 1960s

No new school year has officially begun until the time honored ritual of 升旗 has been completed. 按照传统, on the morning of the first Friday of full classes in each new school year, every member of the school community – all students, 教员, staff and administration - gather on Connor Quad by the main flag pole. After announcements for the year, and sometimes a re-enactment of our proud school history, the senior class is asked to sing our “母校” while a special American Flag, bearing thirteen stars recalling the original collection of colonies existent in our young country at the time of our schools founding, is raised above the GA school flag where they will fly each day of the school year. All are dismissed for the start of the day’s first class by the toll of our historic bell ringing for all to hear from The Belfry atop the Administration Building.