Is it possible that a school’s history could be intertwined with the stories of influential women? Here at 100 East End Avenue stands the Chapin School, an all-girls independent day school. The Chapin School has a rich legacy dating back to 1901. Maria Bowen Chapin founded it. She called it “Miss Chapin’s School for Girls and Kindergarten for Boys and Girls”. The school started with 78 students and seven teachers.
The Chapin School’s mission is to prepare young women. It aims to equip them to thrive and lead in a global society. The Chapin School focuses on academic excellence. It emphasizes personal integrity. Community responsibility is also key.
Chapin’s story began earlier. In 1894, Chapin and Alice Wetmore founded “Primary Classes for Girls.” This school prepared girls for Brearley School. Chapin handled the educational side. Wetmore managed the business. This partnership ended in 1901. Miss Chapin’s School was then established.
Chapin School awarded its first high school diplomas in 1908. The last boys attended in 1917. Maria Bowen Chapin was an early feminist and suffragette. She wanted to give girls the same classical education boys received. Chapin remained headmistress until 1932. In 1934, after her death, the school was renamed Chapin School.
The Chapin School has moved several times. It was originally at 12 West 47th Street. In 1905, it moved to East 58th Street. By 1910, it was at East 57th Street. Since 1928, Chapin has been at its current location. This location is on the Upper East Side.
The Chapin School is divided into three divisions. These are Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. The Lower School includes kindergarten through grade 3. Middle School covers grades 4 through 7. The Upper School is grades 8 through 12.
The Upper School has about 265 students. They are taught by 53 faculty members. Traditionally, Chapin didn’t replace students who left. Graduating classes were around 40. Now, many grades have 65–70 students. A few students are added each year. More are added in 6th and 9th grades.
The Chapin School’s curriculum is traditionally rigorous. It is a liberal arts program. Students must study a modern language. They must also study Latin for two years. Chapin phased out AP classes. It now focuses on advanced courses of its own design. Electives are called FOCUS courses. They start in 10th grade.
Many students pursue independent studies. Some study abroad. Chapin has exchange programs. These programs are with St. Hilda’s in Australia and American Community Schools in Athens. Since 2011, Chapin has worked with the Kibera School for Girls in Nairobi, Kenya. Chapin is also affiliated with the Online School for Girls. New York Interschool courses are offered. These are in advanced math, leadership, and ethics.
The student-to-teacher ratio is about 7:1. About 21% of students receive tuition assistance. This amounts to over $5 million per year. Chapin offers many activities. These include student government, newspaper, and Model UN. There are also groups for Classics, dance, and science. Students can start new clubs.
The Chapin School motto is Fortiter et Recte. This translates to “Bravely and Rightly.” The wheel on the school seal is a symbol. It represents Saint Catherine of Alexandria. She is the patron saint of philosophers and educated women. Students leave assembly in a wheel pattern.
Chapin has a green/gold competition tradition. It has been running since at least 1912. These teams compete throughout the year. A winner is announced at the end of the school year. Students join their team in 4th grade. They stay on the same team throughout their time at Chapin.
Commencement ceremonies have remained unchanged for a century. Students wear white dresses. No academic awards are given. There has never been a Chapin valedictorian. Chapin has a long-standing athletic rivalry. This rivalry is with the neighboring Brearley School. They share some classes and programs.
All Chapin programs are under one roof. The Annenberg Library has over 45,000 volumes. It also has multimedia and video editing rooms. As of 2015, Chapin had 49 classrooms, eight science labs, and four art studios. There were also two music studios and four gyms.
Chapin is typically ranked among the top private schools. The Wall Street Journal ranked Chapin’s college placement as third best. Graduates attend top universities. These include Cornell, UPenn, Harvard, and Duke.
Notable Chapin alumnae include many influential women. Some are Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, Vera Wang, and Queen Noor of Jordan. Others include writers, artists, and activists.
The Chapin School continues to uphold its mission. It prepares young women to lead. It fosters a community of collaboration and lifelong friendships. Chapin’s graduates make significant contributions. They influence various fields around the globe.