A Look Back in History
Palm Beach Day Academy was established in 1921 as the first independent school in the state of Florida. As the School enters into its second century, we invite you to go back in time to the very beginning to understand the legacy of Palm Beach Day Academy and what it means to be a part of this very special school community.
“The School of the Out of Doors
Under the leadership of Ada Davis, the co-ed Palm Beach Private School, also known as “the school of the out of doors,” met informally outdoors at 235 Atlantic Avenue.
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“Palm Beach School for Girls founded — headed by Ada E. Davis
A group of students from the Palm Beach School for Girls in 1927. The School met at 306-308 Cocoanut Row.
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“Palm Beach School for Boys founded - headed by Willard W. Ferguson and Edward M. Shields
The brochure cover for the Palm Beach School for Boys in the 1920s. The School met at 237 Chilean Avenue.
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“A typical schedule at the Palm Beach School for Girls in 1923
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“The two schools merge to form Palm Beach Private School
The new Palm Beach Private School met on Seaview Avenue, the same location of PBDA’s current Upper Campus. Merriweather Post and her husband E. F. Hutton, along with a group of prominent men and women whose children had attended the Palm Beach School for Girls and the Palm Beach School for Boys, decided to found a new school. They created a corporation using the Palm Beach School for Girls, Incorporation, and an initial $180,000 capitalization. 180 shares were issued, a charter was granted, and the first meeting was held at 308 Coconut Row, part of the School for Girls. Mr. Alfred G. Kay, a stockbroker originally from Pittsburgh, was the new school’s first President and Treasurer.
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“A class in the 30s in the new school building of Palm Beach Private School
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“A 1930’s application of John F. Kennedy to the Palm Beach Private School
Although JFK did not ultimately attend the school, his brother and sister did in the 1940’s.
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“Field Day is established
Founded when the school was only 10 years old, Field Day has been a staple in the Palm Beach Day culture from day one. For the first 30 years until the 1960s, parents joined the competition alongside their children with family competitions including wheelbarrow, three-legged and sack races, and parent child relay races. In 1994, Field Day was named in honor of Walter H. Butler, the Head of School from 1965 to 1988. Over the years, Field Day has become Palm Beach Day Academy’s most beloved tradition.
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“Pelican Captains: Alice Wyeth & Wiley R. Reynolds Jr.
PBDA families take pride in their team affiliations - Pelican or Flamingo - which they pass on from generation to generation.
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“Flamingo Captains: Marie Bassett & Frank Quigley
PBDA families take pride in their team affiliations - Pelican or Flamingo - which they pass on from generation to generation.
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“Architect Marion Sims Wyeth designs the Deco Modeme building at 241 Seaview Avenue — landmarked in 1991
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“Headmasters of Palm Beach Private
‘31-’35 Major Johnson Hyde
‘35-’42 Karl B. Dearborn
‘42-’52 Charles E. ParrishA photo taken in 1941 of Headmaster Dearborn with twins Virginia and Winifred Anthony ’45
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“A calendar of Palm Beach Private School from the 1940’s
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“Sports on the East Field of Palm Beach Private School in the 1940’s
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“The school Trustees in the 1940s
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“Palm Beach Private School faculty in the 1950s
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“A Chemistry class in the 1950s
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“Donald E. W. Niemann begins his 10 year tenure as Headmaster
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“Faculty Cup and the Class of ‘58 Cup are established and the first recipient is John R. Miller
Seniors enjoying the Palm Beach Private School Senior Lounge
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“Matthew’s Auditorium is built with support from Mrs. Jean Flagler Matthews in honor of her three sons George, Robert and William Matthews
The dedication of the Matthews Auditorium with Mrs. Matthews, Mr. Haskell, and Headmaster Niemann
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“Students participate in the annual Christmas Pageant
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“Seaview Avenue in the 1960s
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“One of the first beach outings at Phipps Park in the 1960’s
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“Donald M. Lay becomes Headmaster of Palm Beach Private School until 1965
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“The English Bulldog becomes the school’s official mascot
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“Palm Beach Private School becomes Palm Beach Day School
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“Walter H. Butler Jr. begins his 23 year tenure as Headmaster of Palm Beach Day School
Walter pictured here with his wife, Faye, in 1965
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“The Class of 1967, the school’s last 12th grade high school class
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“Upper Campus Wean Library is built with support of Raymond J. Wean Foundation
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“Math games with Mrs. Carol Bayless in the 1970’s
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“Bill Davis, assistant Headmaster, and Carol Rafter, Athletic Director, with our Bulldog mascot in the early 1970’s
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“Mr. Ralph Greco in the early 1970’s. Mr. Greco began teaching at Palm Beach Day in 1968.
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“A Pep Rally in the 1970s
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“Children’s House of the Palm Beaches is founded under the direction of Barbara Durrer. Founding Directors were Mr. & Mrs. H Loy Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Murray Goodman, Mr. & Mrs. Faxon Henderson, and Mr. & Mrs. John F. Koons
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“Upper School Science Center is created with support from Joan & Murray Goodman
Pictured here: The Astronomy Club with Mr. Sarko
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“Traditional singing on Worth Avenue at Christmas in the 1980s
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“First Palm Beach Day School Auction
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“John L. (Jack) Thompson begins his 19 year tenure as Headmaster of Palm Beach Day School
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“In the 1980s, the Daily Work Program required all older students to work and clean the school during the last 15 minutes of the day
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“Mr. Wean receives his red jacket as he steps down as President of the Board of Trustees
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“Academy of the Palm Beaches operates under the direction of:
‘91-’94 Dr. Helena Valedejulli-Butler
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‘94-’95 Dr. Lenore Farrah
‘97-’00 Donna Ross & Nikki Morrow
‘00-’03 Dr. Sallie Harris
“The Children’s House becomes The Academy of the Palm Beaches
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“Prosser Fine Arts Building is built on the Lower Campus with support from Dawn and Jeffrey Prosser
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“Halmos Gymnasium is built with support from Vicki and Peter Halmos
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“Lower Campus Academic Building with Library and Media Lab is built. The Library & Media Center were constructed with support from William I. Koch. The classroom portion was later named by the Lloyd-Roman Family
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“Lower Campus Primary Building is purchased and renovated with support from the William H. Pitt Foundation
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“Michael Papa begins his 4 year tenure as head of The Academy of the Palm Beaches
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“Palm Beach Day School and The Academy of the Palm Beaches join forces to become Palm Beach Day Academy
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“Dr. Rebecca van der Bogert begins her 9 year tenure as Head of Palm Beach Day Academy
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“Matthews Center for the Performing Arts — Tracey & Matt Smith Family Theater dedicated
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“First Pelican and Flamingo Hatching Ceremony
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“Dr. Edwin P. Gordon begins his two year tenure as Head of Palm Beach Day Academy
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“PBDA celebrates Ralph Greco’s 50th year
Ralph Greco began working at PBDA in 1968. Though he will be taking a leave of absence from PBDA for the 2020-2021 academic year, he remains a member-at-large of our faculty, and is serving as a consultant and cheerleader to our Centennial celebration and will continue providing counsel on all things PBDA-related.
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“William S. Peebles IV serves as Interim Head of Palm Beach Day Academy for one year
Peebles, pictured here with Lourdes Fanjul, Board Chairman for Palm Beach Day Academy, joined PBDA after completing a distinguished 15-year tenure as Headmaster of the Lovett School, a K-12 school in Atlanta, Georgia.
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“The Mandel-Palagye Education Center on the Lower Campus is built with support from the Barbara and Morton Mandel and Stacy and Keith Palagye
A dedication was held on the morning of September 18, 2018
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“Fanning M. Hearon III is appointed 14th Head of Palm Beach Day Academy
Despite a category five hurricane – Hurricane Dorian – barreling towards West Palm Beach over Labor Day weekend and delaying Hearon’s first day on the job, he handled the circumstances and uncertainty like a pro. Under his leadership, the PBDA community banded together to begin the school year with more enthusiasm and energy than ever before.
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“On this day, Palm Beach Day Academy will celebrate the 100th day of our 100th year.
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