The New London Academy was the first public school established in Pennsylvania. It was formed in 1743, by Presbyterian minister
Francis Alison Francis Alison (1705–1779) was a leading minister in the Synod of Philadelphia during The Old Side-New Side Controversy
Biography Early life and education
Alison was born in Donegal, Ireland and studied at the University of Glasgow. It appears h ...
, as a "Free School" in his home in
New London, Pennsylvania.
Among its alumni were
George Read George Read may refer to:
* George Reade (colonial governor) (1608–1671), politician, judge, and Acting Governor of Virginia Colony
* George Read (American politician, born 1733) (1733–1798), lawyer, signer of Declaration of Independence and U ...
,
Thomas McKean
Thomas McKean (March 19, 1734June 24, 1817) was an American lawyer, politician, and Founding Father. During the American Revolution, he was a Delaware delegate to the Continental Congress, where he signed the Continental Association, the United ...
and
John Dickinson
John Dickinson (November 13 Julian_calendar">/nowiki>Julian_calendar_November_2.html" ;"title="Julian_calendar.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Julian calendar">/nowiki>Julian calendar November 2">Julian_calendar.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Julian calendar" ...
.
During its early years, the school was run under the auspices of the Philadelphia Synod of the Presbyterian Church. The school changed its name and location several times, moving to
Newark, Delaware
Newark ( )Not as in Newark, New Jersey. is a small city in New Castle County, Delaware, United States. It is located west-southwest of Wilmington. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the city is 31,454. Newark is home to the Uni ...
, by 1765.
The original building in New London later housed the New London High School. Students from New London now attend the
Avon Grove High School.
References
Sources
Presentation on history of Avon Grove schools
1743 establishments in Pennsylvania
Schools in Pennsylvania
Educational institutions established in 1743
Province of Pennsylvania
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