The Pennington School

Founded in 1838, The Pennington School is an independent, coeducational school serving day and boarding students in grades 6 through 12. The Pennington School is committed to developing individual excellence in all of its students. The Pennington School is one of only ten Methodist-based college-preparatory schools in the United States.

The Pennington School admits students of any race, religion, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, physical disability, national and ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, employment policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Our Students fully engage in the Pennington experience. They seek personal excellence and aspire to lives of dedication, perseverance, resilience, integrity, and service. Our Faculty members unreservedly commit themselves to our students and their optimal learning and understanding. Passionate about their professional discipline, they are dedicated to staying current with best practices and pursuing professional development. Our faculty members serve as mentors and role models, forming meaningful relationships with students both inside and outside the classroom.

Our Parents share a sense of responsibility for the well-being and development of our students and actively support the School’s mission. Our Academic and Co-curricular Environment combines high expectation for excellence with the means to help each individual student achieve success in preparation for college study.

Our Preparation for college and life centers on our students’ developing sound habits of mind, effective communication skills, ethical decision making, a global perspective, and the self-confidence to think and act both independently and collaboratively.

Our Community believes that the classroom is sacred and understands that optimal learning takes place through multiple experiences. Our culture reflects an abiding belief in each student’s desire and ability to learn. Our students develop a sense of responsibility for themselves, for others, and for the world in which they live. Our community is one of inclusion, open to diversity of opinions and people, united in our purpose, and dedicated to continuing the values of humility, virtue, and honor.

An important part of the The Pennington School’s vision is that “Our students develop a sense of responsibility for themselves, for others, and for the world in which they live.” It permeates the work we do in our classrooms, on the field, and in the greater community. Given that the concept of sustainability is inherently central to this vision, we have been working to support and advance sustainable practices and thinking throughout the School. This work has been taking place, and is continuing to develop, in several different areas.

We offer a vigorous and challenging college preparatory curriculum. It begins with a wide-ranging curriculum in Middle School and includes an Upper School course in Advanced Molecular Biology, in which our students discovered two previously unknown viruses. We offer dozens of AP and honors courses. Our teachers are experts in their subjects, and they are experts in presenting their material in ways to support a variety of learning styles. Technology is an integral part of the classroom experience, and constant collaboration between students makes learning an active process for everyone.

We don't think that “one size fits all” should apply to the classroom. We approach students as individuals, meet them where they are when they arrive at Pennington, and move them forward so that they can reach their academic goals and full potential as learners. Our teachers are deeply committed to their students’ success.

Our classes are small. Students and teachers know each other very well. And although you will be challenged to do your best work here, help is always available. Because so many of our faculty live on campus, teachers are easy to find after school and in the evenings. There are supervised study hours in the library every midweek night, and specialized help with writing assignments, math, and science is also there when you need it.

Learning happens outside the classroom, too. Your teachers are also your coaches and your advisors. Every interaction, resource, and experience is a learning opportunity. We want you to take some risks, try something new, and be creative with your education here. The arts, athletics, and service are just as important as academic excellence, and we want you to try them all. Test your limits, explore as much as you can, and you will build the resilience, self-confidence, and character you will need to succeed all your life.