“...That They Be Good Men”

“...Ut Viri Boni Sint”

About Us: 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 400 students and more than130 faculty and staff.

Milestones

1950
Purchase of 12 East 89th Street

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 and Art Room

1981
Addition of Gymnastic Center and 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

2008
Expansion: Lower, Middle, and Upper School Science Labs and Prep Room; Publication of Saint David's School Hymnal

2011
Celebration of Sixtieth Anniversary; 1,000 Members of Community Gather for Celebratory Mass at St. Ignatius Loyola.

Continuing Our Best Traditions Campaign, the largest in the school's history, exceeds its goal.