Did you know that Lower Merion High School began in a stone building shared with an elementary school? It’s quite a humble beginning for such a well-regarded institution. We are standing in front of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore Pennsylvania. This is one of two high schools in the Lower Merion School District. The other one is Harriton High School.
Lower Merion High School has a long and interesting history. The school was established in 1894. It started with the consolidation of three village high schools. These were Merion Square Bryn Mawr and Ardmore. The first year was in a stone building. It was shared with Ardmore Avenue Elementary School.
In 1897, Lower Merion held its first commencement. Nine students graduated. The original faculty had seven members. This included the principal and superintendent. The curriculum was a two-year preparation for college or industry.
The Ardmore Avenue School burned in 1900. It was rebuilt with stone. In 1911, the high school moved to its present site. This is at 315 East Montgomery Avenue. The new building was dedicated on December 2 1911. Lower Merion Senior High School was impressive. It was considered one of the finest educational facilities in the state.
The property was 17 acres. It had three stone-arch entrances and landscaped grounds. There was also a football stadium. The property grew to 23 acres. This was with the purchase of the Clarke House. Twenty-one staff members were employed. Charles B. Pennypacker was the principal.
In 1922, Lower Merion Junior High School was built. It was later renamed Ardmore Junior High School. It was next to the senior high school. In 1926, two new wings were added. These additions doubled the size of the school. This helped with increasing enrollment. The administration building was built in 1932. It provided office space and twenty-five classrooms. By 1940, the teaching staff had grown to 61. George H. Gilbert was the principal. Student enrollment was 1461 for grades 10-12.
A technical building was added in 1943. It housed shops for auto repair metal print woodworking and drafting. In 1950, a cafeteria/library wing was added. It was near Pennypacker athletic field. That same year the General Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold athletic fields opened. Enrollment grew to 1663 students by 1957. A second high school Harriton was built. The original 1910 building was demolished in 1963. It was replaced by an air-conditioned classroom structure.
The Lower Merion High School graduation class of 1982 was the first freshman class. It included students who were members of the last graduating class of Ardmore Junior High School.
In 2004, the central lobby was converted to a college-style help center. Also in 2004, a committee recommended a new school. The new Lower Merion High School opened in September 2010. It was dedicated on October 17 2010.
The new school has state-of-the-art classrooms science labs and art classrooms. It also features a lecture hall a black box theater and an 850-seat auditorium. There is a greenhouse athletic facilities a swimming pool and a television studio. A two-story glass-encased library serves as the building’s focal point.
Lower Merion High School’s teams are known as the Aces. This honors Henry H. Arnold. He was an alumnus and an American general.
Lower Merion High School has a rich history of academic and athletic excellence. From its humble beginnings to its modern facilities, the school has always been committed to providing its students with a top-notch education. The Aces continue to excel. They honor the legacy of those who came before them. And that’s the story of Lower Merion High School a place of learning and achievement.