School History
Saint David's School was founded in 1951 with one teacher and four students. The school's purpose, according to its founding families, was "to provide a sound substantial education for the growing boy, equal to the best to be derived from institutions of a similar level." While a school in the Catholic tradition, Saint David's has always been lay-run and independent. Academically, it has embraced the classical ideal of balance, providing boys a rigorous education while encouraging them to grow into responsible and moral world citizens.
In the decades since its founding, Saint David's has undertaken several expansions, adding state-of-the-art facilities for its academic and athletics programs. Today, the school community includes 385 students and more than100 faculty and staff.
Milestones
| 1950 | Purchase of 12 East 89th St. |
| 1951 | February 5- Saint David's opens - 1 teacher and 4 students |
| 1952 | Thomas Herlihy appointed first Headmaster |
| 1953 | David Hume appointed second Headmaster; Purchase of 14 East 89th Street |
| 1956 | Parents Association formed |
| 1957 | January 19 - First issue of Canticle; Hearst family donates organ and stained glass windows to the Chapel. |
| 1958 | June 4 - First school commencement |
| 1963 | Purchase of 16 East 89th St. |
| 1969 | First Advent Service of Lessons & Carols |
| 1971 | Great Coke Machine Crusade |
| 1972 | Purchase of 18 and 22 East 89th St. |
| 1973 | First Science Lab |
| 1977-78 | Addition of Library, Art Room |
| 1981 | Addition of Gymnastic Center, Woodshop |
| 1982 | First "You Gotta Have Park" Weekend |
| 1983 | Saint David's Philharmonic Ensemble established. |
| 1987 | First Mozart Celebration; First issue of Saint David's Magazine |
| 1990 | Retirement of David Hume after 37 years of service; Dr. Timothy Burns, third Headmaster |
| 1992 | Dr. Donald T. Maiocco, fourth Headmaster, Eighth Grade Humanities Program |
| 1994 | Expansion: Lower School Library, Computer Room, Art and Pottery Studios |
| 1995 | Purchase of Saint David's Sports Complex on Ninety-fourth Street |
| 2001 | Celebration of Golden Jubilee |
| 2002 | Golden Jubilee Expansion Completed: Science Suite, Library/Media Center, Eighth Grade Classrooms, Woodworking Shop, Smith Reception Room, Front Lobby, Expanded Dining Hall/Auditorium; Restoration of Hearst stained glass windows |
| 2004 | Dr. P. David O'Halloran, fifth Headmaster |
| 2005 | School-wide Curriculum Initiative |
| 2006 | Faculty Initiative; Expansion: Fifth Floor Music Suite |
| 2007 | Celebration of Fiftieth Commencement; Expansion: Sixth Floor Art Suite |