NEWS & EVENTS: SIA IN THE NEWS STORY DETAILS

House System Established at Staten Island Academy

 In the fall of 2004, the Academy announced the introduction of a House System in its Upper School division.

The program aims to build a strong stronger school community and school spirit. In addition, the new 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 will support 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.

Andrew Scrivani, Assistant US Dean of Students, is coordinating the new system. Throughout the fall, students and faculty worked on various inter-house committees-History, Event Planning, Student Support Services, Songs & Mottos, Points Calculation, Service & Outreach, LS & MS Coordination, and Spirit-to prepare for the start of the house system in the winter of 2005.

During the school’s annual holiday assembly in mid-December the Houses unveiled its official banner. Students created the banners using house colors and mottos chosen by their house members during 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.

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For further information, please contact Maureen McShane, Director of Communications at 718-303-7805, mmcshane@statenislandacademy.org.