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The Timeline of Our Story
With much hard work from friends and donors, and the faith of the parents who have entrusted us to educate their sons, we have had many successes in a very short time. The following timeline describes the major accomplishments and bits of providence that have contributed to the establishment of Princeton Academy.
1998
- A group of inspired and courageous Stuart parents begins to plan a Sacred Heart boys' school. This group becomes the founding Board of Trustees and the school is formally incorporated.
- The Board sets five "make or break" goals. Failure to achieve these goals would mean that the project would be scrapped. They include: hiring a Headmaster, securing a facility, raising $100,000 in seed money, increasing membership on the Board and developing a curriculum.
1999
- The founding Board appoints Olen Kalkus, Head of the Upper School of the International School of Prague, Czech Republic, to serve as the school’s founding Headmaster.
- Princeton Academy leases space at the former Our Lady of Princeton, a 43-acre property less than one mile from Stuart.
- In September, Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart opens with 34 students. A faculty and staff of 14 (full and part-time) serves kindergarten through third grade.
2000
- The school receives an anonymous pledge of one million dollars toward the purchase of the property.
- The late William E. Simon, former U.S. Treasury Secretary, recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit of the school's leadership, offers a challenge gift of one million dollars if the school can purchase the property mortgage-free by the end of the year.
- In September, the second year begins with 94 students and 33 faculty and staff members, serving kindergarten through sixth grade.
- Princeton Academy purchases the Our Lady of Princeton property, having raised more than $2 million and borrowed $6 million. The Simon Foundation extends the challenge for one year – tying its million-dollar gift to elimination of the mortgage.
2001
- In September, the third school year begins with 157 students and 36 faculty and staff members, serving junior kindergarten through seventh grade.
- The school begins the Middle States accreditation process.
- The Board completes a master plan and intensifies its efforts to meet the Simon challenge.
- The school receives an anonymous challenge grant of one million dollars, furthering efforts to meet the Simon challenge.
2002
- Princeton Academy announces that it has met the Simon challenge and retires the mortgage.
- September 2002, the fourth school year begins with 195 students and 42 faculty and staff members, serving junior kindergarten through eighth grade.
- Princeton Academy holds its first annual Gala dinner dance/auction for the Princeton community. Fundraising results exceed expectations.
- The school completes its third full year of operation.
2003
- The Middle School students field their first inter-scholastic basketball team.
- Thirteen graduates become the first alumni of Princeton Academy, with high-school acceptances at noted area schools such as Delbarton School, George School, Hun School, Lawrenceville School, Notre Dame, Peddie School, Pennington School and others.
- An anonymous challenge grant of $500,000 inspires the establishment of The Campaign for Princeton Academy, a $5 million capital campaign.
- Princeton Academy starts its fifth year of operation with 195 students and 46 faculty and staff members, serving Junior Kindergarten through eighth grade.
2004
- Princeton Academy received accreditation from Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
- Princeton Township grants approval for construction of a new Athletic and Convocation Center.
- Princeton Academy starts its sixth year of operation with 210 students and 54 faculty and staff members, serving Junior Kindergarten through eighth grade.
2005
- Ground is broken for the new Athletic and Convocation Center.
- Richardson Smith Architects are chosen for the design of the new Library Chapel.
- The Campaign for Princeton Academy reaches $2.5 million.
- Princeton Academy starts its seventh year of operation with 220 students and 57 faculty and staff members, serving Junior Kindergarten through eighth grade.
