UPPER SCHOOL GRADES 9 -12

Upper School House System

The Upper School House System aims to build a strong school community and school spirit. In addition, the House System is an innovative way to reconnect with the Academy's 120-year heritage by promoting student initiatives, peer leadership, inter-grade camaraderie and commitment of excellence. It also supports the school's belief that tomorrow's citizens must be strong individuals who are confident, supportive team players who value fairness and diversity.

House systems have long been popular in Great Britain and Europe. Houses compete against each other based on academic and athletic accomplishments. The Academy has added a third component-community service-to reflect the school’s mission of service to others.

Each Academy student in grades 9-12 and their teachers are assigned to one of five houses. Each house is named for a prominent historical figure from the school's past. They include Merrick, Methfessel, Partington, Stettinius and Willard-Mundorf houses. Students were assigned to a house based on our version of Harry Potter's "sorting hat," which included sorting students by grade point average so that each house has a balanced GPA.

Each house has a student created official banner that displays house colors and mottos chosen by their respective members during the first houses' committee work. Reproductions of the banners and house tallies are displayed on the lower level of Kearns Hall. Click here to view the SIA House Banners

 The Five Houses of SIA

Merrick House is named for Dr. Harold E. Merrick who was Headmaster from 1942-1962. Mr. Merrick has the distinction of serving the Academy for the longest tenure of any headmaster.

Methfessel House is named for the school's founder and noted educator, Anton Methfessel who led the Academy (originally known as the Methfessel Institute) from 1862-1884.) He was a noted language and music teacher, who was often played his violin as he strolled from classroom to classroom.

Frederick E. Partington, the namesake of Partington House, was the first official Headmaster of SIA from 1884-1907. During the Civil War, Mr. Partington was a drummer for his battalion.

Stettinius House is named for Edward Stettinius, a prominent political figure (he was Secretary of State during the FDR and Truman administrations). Mr. Stettinius' estate became home to the Dongan Hall School . Our campus is located on the site of the Stettinius Estate.

Willard-Mundorf is named for the Willard-Mundorf School founded by Edith Willard and Elsa Mundorf. Misses Willard and Mundorf were originally teachers at SIA. The founded and ran their own school for many years until it consolidated with SIA during the years following the Depression.