NFA celebrates, prepares for the next 100 years

by Walt Maguire

Posted 10/14/21

The 100th Anniversary activities for Norwood-Fontbonne Academy were scheduled for last year, but like many other things, the schedule changed.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Attention subscribers

We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.

If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.

If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.

NFA celebrates, prepares for the next 100 years

The 100th Anniversary Gala, held a year late, making it all the more memorable. Sr. James Anthony Hall, October 2, 2021.

Ryan Killeen, Ed.D., President of NFA, speaking at the Gala. “The next 100 years fill me with excitement, as opportunities are so bright for our young learners to grow and develop into self-directed learners, intellectually curious and committed to social justice. NFA will keep up with them and offer them opportunities every step of the way.”

In 1919 the Sisters of Saint Joseph purchased “Hillcrest,” the estate of Reed A. Morgan (which was renamed “Norwood” by a subsequent owner), on Germantown Avenue. The estate and its outbuildings (Stone House and White House) were renovated by the Sisters to accommodate 48 boarders, six day students, and nine sisters who formed Norwood Academy for Boys which opened on November 29, 1920. Today the Big House holds administrative offices, the newly renovated Centennial Chapel, Art Room, a multipurpose/lunchroom, and a small school museum. The 100th Anniversary was October 2, 2021.

Montessori teacher, Carole Tippett (left), of Chestnut Hill, joins her Stone House Montessori preschool students to celebrate Norwood-Fontbonne Academy’s 45th anniversary of Montessori education in Philadelphia. “Within the child, lies the fate of the future.” – Maria Montessori

Terri Hutsell

Walt Maguire

Students at Norwood assembled on one of the school’s play fields to mark the school’s anniversary. (2010)

Dated late 18th-early 19th century, Norwood-Fontbonne’s White House, which houses pre-and kindergarten, was previously a residence, Norwood Cottage.

These students couldn’t wait until Friday either.

Nazareth House was torn down to make way for the newer buildings.

May procession.

The NFA Bears football team, from the 1940s, on the steps of the Big House

A Fontbonne classroom. Fontbonne was all-girls, Nowrwood all-boys, until 1973.

Field Day, 1955. all grades participated in annual Field Days.

A Norwood classroom, c. 1920.

Members of the NFA Class of 1969

The original chapel in the Big House was converted to offices. However, the Centennial Chapel was refurbished this winter.

Monsignor Francis Schulte ’40, Reverend Mother Alice Anita, Mother General of The Sisters of Saint Joseph, and Sister James Anthony, principal of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy.

FLYING NUNS Sister James Anthony (right), principal of Norwood-Fontbonne, and Sister Owen Catherine take a quick swing over the remains of the quonset hut in the crane that demolished it last Friday. "This is something to celebrate!" said Sister James. "The hut was one of the Hill's most expendable landmarks." The hut, completed in 1947, served as the school gynmasium. It was replaced by Sister James Anthony Hall. (Local, September 9, 1973)

Posted Thursday, October 14, 2021 9:00 am

Open House October 20

9 a.m. Register at norwoodfontbonneacademy.org

A Year In The Life, 2020-2021

Then and Now

by Walt Maguire

The 100^th Anniversary activities for Norwood-Fontbonne Academy were scheduled for last year, but like many other things, the schedule changed. After a commemorative mass at the end of September and a Gala October 2, the commemorative year is back on track. Not being able to do it last year made it more memorable.

After going virtual for the end of 2019, NFA returned to in-person on campus last year, in a limited capacity. They used the time to refurbish the Big House, the former home of Reed A. Morgan and the only original building left from 1919. Today the Big House holds administrative offices, a newly renovated Centennial Chapel, Art Room, a multipurpose/lunchroom, and a small school museum, assembled with the aid of Jay Susanin of Palladio Gallery. In anticipation of the Centennial, President Ryan Killeen, Ed.D., started planning in 2019 for the next five years of development. In 2020 they launched Directed Toward Tomorrow, a comprehensive long-range campus plan to be released later this fall. Killeen, the first lay president of NFA, said, “The new campus plan sets our priorities for making the best possible facilities for our children to thrive and continue to grow spiritually, intellectual, and emotionally.”

The Sisters of Saint Joseph arrived in Philadelphia in 1847. They moved their Mother House to Chestnut Hill in 1858 and established Mount Saint Joseph Academy. In 1878 they started the boys school that became Norwood Academy. In 1919 they purchased Hillcrest (renamed Norwood by a subsequent owner), and Norwood Academy for Boys opened in 1920. Fontbonne Academy for Girls opened in 1924. Fontbonne and Norwood Academies merged into the co-educational Norwood-Fontbonne Academy in 1973, offering a Montessori preschool, a junior Montessori program for grades 1-3 and a parallel program with creative interactive classrooms for kindergarten through eighth grade. It’s one of only six schools in Pennsylvania accredited by the American Montessori Society. In 2014 they were awarded a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and in 2019 celebrated their 50th year of Montessori education.

Homecoming

Founders Day and Fall Spirit Day
Friday, October 15
Pep Rally 2 p.m. Norwood Athletic Field
All alumni are welcome and encouraged to join. Please stop by the alumni table for some NFA swag.

NFA vs. Ancillae Assumpta Academy
Saturday, October 16
Field Hockey
10 a.m. Mount St. Joseph Academy
Soccer and Football
12:45 p.m. LaSalle College High School

Keywords

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy celebrates the end of the school year with a parade

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy holds Class of 2020 graduation

Norwood-Fontbonne celebrates 90 years (2010)

Norwood-Fontbonne begins 93rd year with Mass

NFA teacher retires after five decades

Norwood-Fontbonne honors staff at Blue Ribbon Gala

International Montessorians visit NFA

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy sprouts Children's Garden

One of Philadelphia's first Montessori schools celebrates 45th anniversary

Donate to CHCA Annual Appeal

Local Calendar

The Latest

Autism discussion on April 20

A panel of experts will discuss the talents and challenges of nonspeaking children and adults with autism at Johnson House Historic Site in Germantown.