Welcome to The Pennington School!
Be yourself, discover new opportunities, and work with a remarkable faculty dedicated to your individual achievement.
General Information
Founded in 1838, The Pennington School is a private (independent), coeducational school with excellent day and boarding programs for students in Grades 6 through 12. Boarding is offered for Grades 8-12.
Alumni of record: 5,000+
Total student enrollment: 525
Average class size: 13
Student/faculty ratio: 6:1
Total faculty: 123
72% with advanced degrees
50% live on campus
Faculty members average 18 years of experience in their field
Our Mission
The Pennington School is committed to developing individual excellence in all of its students.
Admission/Financial Assistance
New student applications: 700+ in 2026
New students enrolled: 121 (2026-27)
Students receiving financial assistance: 30% (2026–27)
Academics
50 AP and Honors Courses
Special Certificate Programs
Computer Science, Innovation, and Engineering
The Applied Science Certificate Program at Pennington gives students unique opportunities to grow their STEM skills and knowledge, discover new passions, and explore areas of interest not available in the general program. Students will make interdisciplinary connections between STEM and our world. By participating in STEM experiences, interacting with industry leaders, and engaging in hands-on work, students enjoy creative learning experiences that enrich their perceptions and offer important insight into how they can make a difference in a world of constant change.
Global Studies
The Global Studies Certificate Program provides an interdisciplinary academic environment that prepares students to meaningfully participate and succeed in their ever-changing world. Global Studies students will develop their capacity to understand and act on issues of global significance. By broadening their outlook beyond their school environment, Global Studies students will take steps to engage in purposeful action in the world and take their places as true global citizens.
History
The Pennington School is proud of its long history of diversity and inclusion. With strong Methodist roots, we first welcomed women on campus in 1853, and our first international students arrived back in 1890. Since the School's launch in 1838, students from all religious, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds have found Pennington a warm and welcoming place to learn and live. In 1975, the Edmund V. Cervone Center for Learning was founded to address the academic needs of bright students with learning disabilities. This pioneering program has become a model for similar programs around the world and continues to be at the forefront of education in the United States.
Dedicated to educating a diverse student population for nearly two centuries, we are one of America's oldest private schools. Read a complete history of our School.
Campus and Facilities
55-acre campus located in Pennington, NJ
10 miles from Princeton, NJ
60 miles from New York City
40 miles from Philadelphia
Four academic buildings, including the newer (2017) Kenneth Kai Tai Yen Humanities building. Almost every classroom was renovated in 2016.
New for 2026-27!
Jingoli Gym and Stephen Tan '73 Fitness Center
Other campus features:
Meckler Library
Robert E. Martini Center for Music, Arts, and Community: student center with snack bar and newly renovated Campus Store
Silva Gallery of Art
Diane T. McLarty Black Box Theater
Dining Hall
Makerspace, fully equipped with tools for engineering
Health Center with five beds; staffed 24/7
Sports facilities include: aquatic center with indoor pool, wellness center, numerous sports fields, artificial turf field, press box, stadium, track, outdoor tennis/pickleball courts, sand volleyball court, newly renovated locker rooms, and brand-new fitness center (see above)
Location
Pennington, NJ, was named one of the best towns for families in New Jersey. The School's campus is less than a five-minute walk from historic downtown Pennington, with its multitude of restaurants, pharmacies, banks, hair salons and barbershops, retail businesses, and many other services. Pennington is only ten minutes from Princeton and is centrally located, one hour from both New York and Philadelphia. Pennington is easily accessible by NJ Transit/Amtrak/SEPTA trains and buses (a 15-minute drive) and by air (Philadelphia and Newark Airports, approximately 1 hour).
Accreditation and Memberships
Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, The College Board, RoundSquare, Independent Curriculum Group, National Association of College Admission Counseling, National Association of Independent Schools, National Network of Schools in Partnership, New Jersey Association of College Admission Counseling, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, and Pennsylvania Association of College Admission Counseling.
The Pennington School admits students of any race, religion, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, physical disability, national and ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, employment policies, and athletic and other School-administered programs.