Beneath its red and white banner, St. Bernard’s School stands as a Manhattan institution. Founded in 1904 by John Card Jenkins and Francis Tabor, St. Bernard’s began its journey. These Cambridge graduates, met unconventionally. Their heads collided on a soccer pitch.
Originally, St. Bernard’s was on the upper floors of a Midtown building. In 1915, it moved to its current location on 98th Street. The original 1915 building still stands. Delano and Aldrich designed it. However, expansions and renovations have modernized it. The most recent was in 1997.
Why is it called St. Bernard’s School? Many assume it is named after the dog breed. However, it is named after rue St-Bernard in Brussels. A relative of one of the founders had a school there.
The school shield displays powerful symbols. An eagle represents the United States. A lion symbolizes Great Britain. A book signifies education. A cross represents Christian tradition. The motto of St. Bernard’s School is “Perge sed caute”. It means “Proceed but with caution”.
St. Bernard’s is an all-male elementary school. It serves boys from kindergarten through ninth grade. The school divides into three divisions. The Junior School includes kindergarten through third grade. The Middle School covers fourth through sixth grades. The Upper School consists of seventh through ninth grades.
What about the dress code at St. Bernard’s School? On Mondays through Thursdays, Junior School boys wear polo shirts. These polos feature the school shield. They can be red, white, or blue with khakis and a blazer. Middle and Upper School boys wear polos or oxford shirts. They also wear khakis and blazers. On Fridays, all boys except kindergartners wear jackets and ties.
Alumni are known as “Old Boys”. St. Bernard’s School boasts notable alumni. Louis Auchincloss was a novelist and National Medal of Arts winner. Andrew Bernard is an economist. Billy Bush is a journalist. Greg Daniels is a television writer and four-time Emmy winner. James Merrill was a poet. Tom Werner is the current chairman of Liverpool Football Club and the Boston Red Sox.
St. Bernard’s “Old Boys” attend top secondary schools. These include Andover, Exeter, and Horace Mann. They also attend St. Paul’s, Stuyvesant, and Trinity.
In April 2021, Joy S. Hurd IV was appointed headmaster. He began his role on July 1, 2022. Mr. Hurd previously taught at St. Bernard’s. He was head of Lake Forest Country Day School. He graduated from Harvard College. He also holds master’s degrees from Columbia University’s Teachers College and the Bread Loaf School of Middlebury College.
St. Bernard’s School appeared in popular culture. The film “Prince of the City” referenced it. It was the alma mater of a prosecutor investigating police corruption. In “Lie To Me”, a character mentions being best friends since St. Bernard’s. James Merrill played a role in St. Bernard’s production of “Richard II” in 1936. He later recalled it in his poem “The School Play”.
St. Bernard’s School, with its rich history and traditions, continues to shape young minds. It prepares them for success in academics and beyond. As we conclude our visit, remember the school’s motto. Proceed with caution.