100 Years of Growth

HISTORY OF NORWOOD-FONTBONNE ACADEMY

1852 Construction of Hillcrest (Norwood estate)

1858 Middleton Family property purchased by Sisters of St. Joseph

1853 Construction of Harrison estate (St. Michael’s Hall) 1878 Opening of St. Joseph Seminary for Little Boys

Soon after the Sisters of Saint Joseph arrived in Philadelphia, they established Mount Saint Joseph Academy, a boarding school for girls located in Mount Saint Joseph Convent, site of the Monticello estate purchased in 1858 from the Middleton Family. In 1878, young boys were admitted into the newly created St. Joseph’s Seminary for Little Boys, which also housed in the convent building. These two schools were the foundation for the present Norwood-Fontbonne Academy.

In 1919 the Sisters of Saint Joseph purchased “Hillcrest,” the estate of Reed A. Morgan, which was renamed “Norwood” by a subsequent owner), on Germantown Avenue. The estate (today’s Big House) and its outbuildings (Stone House and White House) were renovated by the Sisters to accommodate 48 boarders, six day students, and nine sisters who formed Norwood Academy for Boys which opened on November 29, 1920.

During the early 1920s, girls in the elementary level of Mount Saint Joseph Academy were moved to the newly purchased property located at 9001 Germantown Avenue, formerly the Harrison Estate and most recently St. Michael’s Hall. Named for the French foundress of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Fontbonne Academy for Girls opened in 1924. In 1945, it was relocated to the property at Norwood and Sunset Avenues, formerly the Edge Hill Estate, on the site of today’s Fontbonne Campus.

In the late 1960s as the number of boarders declined, Norwood Academy became a day school only. Rooms that were once bedrooms became classrooms in the Big House with the help of parent volunteers. The SSJs who lived in the Big House moved to St. Michael’s Hall.

In 1969, then-principal S. James Anthony, SSJ, was encouraged to explore the possibility of starting a Montessori program at Norwood Academy, by her friend, Rev. Francis B. Schulte ’40, who later became an Archbishop. After planning and instruction on the Montessori method, S. Mary Harold, SSJ, opened the first Montessori preschool for boys that year.

1919 Sale of Norwood Estate to Sisters

1922 Rear Wing Addition: New Kitchen, Pantry, Dining Room, Infirmary, and Dormitories 1940 Norwood Athletic Field laid out 1947 Post-war Quonset hut erected 1968 Library and Science Lab added in former dorm space in the Big House 1969 Elimination of boarding school status

Opening of Montessori Pre-school for boys

1924 Opening of Fontbonne Academy at Germantown and Sunset Avenues 1945 Relocation of Fontbonne Academy to Strawbridge Morris Estate 1959 Temporary (10-year) closure of Fontbonne Academy

After a temporary closure beginning in 1959, Fontbonne Academy reopened in 1971 with the addition of a pre-school Montessori program similar to that introduced at Norwood.

Carriage and Gate Houses on the Fontbonne Campus were opened as co-ed Montessori preschools. Today, families can choose the best learning path for their child through NFA’s Dual Path of Montessori and Primary education. NFA is known for its Montessori program throughout the area, and it’s only one of six American Montessori Society-certified schools in the state of Pennsylvania.

A turning point in the history and growth of NFA was the merger of Norwood Academy and Fontbonne Academy, and the construction of Sister James Anthony Hall on the Norwood Campus in 1973. Currently, this building houses NFA’s Middle School – grades 6 to 8 – and it’s there that students are further prepped, through learning and atmosphere, how to successfully transition to their high school years. The addition of The Commons as a central area for liturgies, events and meetings on the Fontbonne Campus has enhanced NFA’s ability to gather as a community.

HISTORY OF NORWOOD-FONTBONNE ACADEMY

1971 Postulate opens as Fontbonne Academy and includes the addition of Montessori Preschool for Girls

Strawbridge-Morris Mansion named Assumption Hall residence for sisters 1977 First Middle States Association Accreditation 1984 Computer classes begin for students in grades 4 to 8 1989 First Annual Appeal Campaign

1973 Merging of Norwood and Fontbonne Academies as coed Norwood-Fontbonne Academy; construction of Sister James Anthony Hall 1982 First year of summer camp at NFA 1986 Loft program begins

Science labs and STEM labs have expanded, as has technology for all students with the use of iPads and laptops.

We continue to look ahead, through our innovative teaching, and enrollment and development strategies. However, we took a look back and brought the Chapel back to the Big House after many years. The space, which had been renovated into separate offices, has been renovated to a spiritual and sacred space for all.

It’s been 100 years of growth that the Sisters of Saint Joseph who founded Norwood Academy in 1920 could never had imagined. We thank them for giving us the foundation on which we have continued to develop and refine in times of adversity and prosperity. We are so grateful to them and to all – faculty, staff, parents, students, alumni, and friends –who have been on this journey.

Here ’s to another 100 years!

OUR GRATITUDE TO THOSE WHO HAvE LED OUR SCHOOL FOR OUR 100 years...

Mother St. Pierre Mother Arsenia Mother Mary Louis Mother St. Francis Moore Mother Francis de Sales Cullen Mother St. Ursula Mother Philomena Mother St. Thomas McInerney Mother Mary of Bethany McGuinness S. James Anthony, SSJ S. Helen Wiegmann, SSJ S. Beatrice DeSantis, SSJ S. Judith McBride, SSJ S. Monica Osaben, SSJ S. Kathy McShane, SSJ S. Jean Laurich, SSJ S. Mary Helen Beirne, SSJ Dr. Ryan Killeen

1995 75th Anniversary Celebration

2001 Introduction of the Service-Learning Curriculum 2006 Groundbreaking for additions and renovations of Fontbonne and Norwood campuses 2010 90th Anniversary Celebration 2014 45th year of Montessori Education

Awarded National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence

2008 Dedication and opening of Fontbonne Commons and James Anthony Hall Classroom Addition 2012 Renovation of Sister James Anthony Hall Gym 2020 100th Anniversary Celebration

2019 50th year of Montessori Education