University School | 5
When it was established in 1890, Univer-
sity School, in Cleveland, Ohio, was distin-
guished as America’s first model of an educa-
tionreformmovement thatcalledforcreation
of what were then known as “Country Day
Schools.” Such institutions were specifically
designed and enriched by fostering the edu-
cational and experiential qualities observed
among the nation’s top college-prep board-
ing schools, yet with these, students would
return home to their respective families by
the close of each day. University School was
founded by NewtonM. Anderson, an educa-
tor who believed that the classic education
model was not only ineffective, but abysmal
in adequately preparing students for emer-
gence into industry leadership. Anderson
persuaded some 70 people from Cleveland
to put-up the funds which led to the school’s
original development on a ten-acre site situ-
ated at the intersection of Hough Avenue
and East 71st Street in Cleveland. Mar-
keted to exclusively cater to boys from 5th
to 12th Grade, University School had more
than 100 applicants before construction was
even completed. Anderson maintained that
beyond traditional studies, students would
benefit from having firsthand experience in a
variety of tradecraft, so in addition to the typ-
ical classrooms, the school housed a machine
shop, carpentry center and its own forging
operation. Athletics were also viewed as es-
sential and the school came equipped with
a gymnasium and aquatic center. With such
infrastructure, Headmaster Anderson along
with the faculty of University School went
on to establish an environment where the
academic agenda not only promoted mental,
manual and physical prowess, but also rigid
adherence to a code of conduct imbued by
the concepts of responsibility, loyalty and
consideration.
