Grades 6-12; Boarding 8-12

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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: 535
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: 800+ in 2023
New students enrolled: 152 (2023-24)

Students receiving financial assistance: 32% (2023–24)

Academics

Honors Courses:

  • Algebra II
  • American Identities
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Data Structures
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • French III, IV
  • Geometry
  • German III, IV
  • Introduction to Literary Forms and Critical Writing
  • Latin III, IV
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Precalculus
  • Senior Seminar in Drama
  • Spanish II, III, IV
  • United States History
  • World History

Advanced Placement Courses:

  • Biology
  • Calculus AB
  • Calculus BC
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science A
  • English Language and Composition
  • English Literature and Composition
  • French Language and Culture
  • German Language and Culture
  • Latin
  • Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
  • Modern European History
  • Music Theory
  • Physics C
  • Spanish Language and Culture
  • Spanish Literature and Culture
  • Statistics
  • Studio Art
  • United States Government and Politics
  • United States History

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, and discover new passions and explore areas of interests that are not available in the general program. Students will make interdisciplinary connections between STEM and our world. By participating in STEM experiences, interacting with leaders in industry, and doing hands-on work, students enjoy creative learning experiences that enrich their perceptions and offer important insight into how it is possible to 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. Broadening their outlook outside of their school environment, Global Studies students will take steps to achieve 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. From the year of 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 other similar programs around the world and continues 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.

Other campus features:

Meckler Library
Robert E. Martini Center for Music, Arts, and Community: student center with snack bar and Campus Store
Silva Gallery of Art
Diane T. McLarty "Black Box" Theater
Dining Hall (expanded in 2018-19)
Makerspace, fully equipped with tools for engineering
Health Center with five beds; staffed 24/7
Sports facilities include: newly renovated aquatic center with indoor pool, wellness center, numerous sports fields, new artificial turf field, track, outdoor tennis/pickleball courts, sand volleyball court

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 barber shops, retail businesses, and many 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 (15-minute drive), and by air (Philadelphia and Newark Airports approximately one-hour drive).

Accreditation and Memberships

Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, The College Board, 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 administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, employment policies, and athletic and other School-administered programs.