From its founding in 1841 until 1970, the school was under the direction of Fordham University. In 1970, it separated from the university, establishing itself as an independent preparatory school with its own administration, endowment, and Board of Trustees.[3]
Fordham Preparatory School was established in 1841 by bishopJohn Hughes, later Archbishop of New York, as the Second Division of St. John's College, on the Feast ofSt. John the Baptist, situated at Rose Hill in what was then known as the village of Fordham, New York.
In 1846, theSociety of Jesus was invited to preside over the institution. The Second Division's curriculum consisted of four years of study in Latin, Greek, grammar, literature, history, geography, mathematics, and religion, followed by three years of study in the First Division (equivalent to present-dayFordham University). The degree ofArtium Baccalaureus was awarded for completion of both curricula. The Second Division was aboarding school from its founding until 1920 when it ceased boarding operations and assumed its present form as a day school.[4]
St. John's College was re-chartered under its current name of Fordham University in 1907, and the school officially became known as Fordham Preparatory School in 1937, having been unofficially known as "Fordham Prep" for some years prior. In 1970, Fordham Preparatory School formally separated from the university, establishing itself as an independentpreparatory school with its own administration, endowment, and Board of Trustees.[3]
An early campus view showing the University Church and the original school buildings
Fordham Preparatory School was originally housed in a wing of what is today Fordham University'sAdministration Building, now known as Cunniffe House. That Second Division Wing has long since been demolished. In 1890, the school was relocated to the recently constructed Hughes Hall, originally called Second Division Hall or Junior Hall.
Hughes Hall now houses theFordham UniversityGabelli School of Business. After formally separating from the university, the Prep moved to then-new Shea Hall in 1972, erected on what were once fields at the northwestern corner of the campus. Rising construction costs, coupled with the recent separation from the university, brought the Prep into poor financial standing by the early 1970s. Generous donations by alumni, including those of aerosol-valve inventor and 1939 alumnusRobert Abplanalp, and a series of benefit concerts given by entertainers such asBing Crosby andBob Hope, were instrumental in funding the expansion to Shea Hall. By the end of the decade, however, the school still remained burdened by the immensity of its debt, which was subsequently reduced after the failure of its mortgage-holder,Franklin National Bank, and a compromise bartered by 1929 alumnus and former Governor of New YorkMalcolm Wilson.[4]
Maloney Hall, which comprises the Hall of Honor, the Leonard Theater, and the intramural gymnasium and fitness center, was completed in 1991 to form the present iteration of the Prep grounds.[4]
There are twenty-fourAdvanced Placement courses offered, in addition to a variety of advanced courses in other disciplines. Certain students are also invited to take courses atFordham University.
Constructed in 1991 as part of the Maloney Hall addition, The Leonard Theatre is a one-thousand-seat performing arts venue. It is the home of the Fordham Prep Dramatic Society, which is among the oldest preparatory school theatre companies in the nation. The Leonard Theatre has hosted theMSNBC news programHardball with Chris Matthews twice, and Irish tenorRonan Tynan in concert.
The school has teams that participate in eighteen different sports, with forty teams altogether.[5] The athletic facilities include Fordham Prep's playing fields and running track, the university's adjacent fields and tennis courts, and some other facilities, such as the crew team's boathouse located in nearbyNew Rochelle.
Back view of the Leonard Theater and the Rowen Athletic Field
