For the first time, Upper School students traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to visit our SHOFCO sister schools, The Kibera School for Girls and Mathare School for Girls. Students prepared for their trip through a semester-long FOCUS course in which they explored the impact of globalization and the cultural, political, economic and historical aspects of Nairobi, while enhancing their community building and leadership skills.
History
Ever since Maria Bowen Chapin founded The Chapin School in 1901, her commitment to academic excellence and high moral values have been the cornerstones of the School's philosophy. Miss Chapin cited the following characteristics as a standard of excellence for a school: "Profound recognition of the dignity of sound scholarship, respect for all those values and traditions of the past which have contributed to that which is best in the present, and courage to attempt the untrodden ways of any height which may give a wider vision of the future-to-be-desired." Her vision for the education of young women has remained our guide as our curriculum and traditions have evolved.
The Wheel
The wheel on The Chapin School seal was chosen by Miss Chapin because it is the symbol of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of philosophers, thinkers and educated women. Chapin's motto is "Fortiter et Recte," Bravely and Rightly.
“Remember that your school symbol is a wheel and that like it, education has no beginning that we can remember, no end that we can see… you have learned about Fortitude and Rectitude, and now we send you away, that life may teach you. Fortitude, you know, includes not only Courage, but Strength, Endurance, Patience – that one must be brave for others as well as for oneself.”
Maria Bowen Chapin
Historical Timeline
Chapin launched its first Middle School Speech & Debate team, which received a record of over 100 student sign-ups.
In May 2021, Chapin officially opened its new floors and repurposed spaces giving us a regulation-size gym, fitness center, dance studio, play roof, choral rooms and more.
Chapin's 2020-2021 school year begins virtually on September 9, 2020, with new Head of School Suzanne Fogarty, and continues, beginning October 5, with an in-person, hybrid and virtual program to meet the needs of all students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chapin Athletics introduces the Captains' Council. The council aims to serve as a supportive platform for captains to connect across sports and seasons, while providing students the opportunity to interact in a different leadership capacity.
The School celebrates 90 years at 100 East End Avenue.
Chapin launches a redesigned website.
Construction of the new Lower Level Dining Room is completed, serving students in Kindergarten through Class 5 and affording the School an additional gathering space.
Chapin marks the 90th anniversary of the Board of Trustees.
Chapin marks the 100th anniversary of the Alumnae Association.
Dr. Patricia Hayot celebrates her 10th year as Head of School.
September marks the 150th anniversary of Miss Chapin's birth.
Chapin launches a new website, made possible by generous financial support from the parents of the Class of 2011.
Chapin introduces its five-year strategic plan, Focus Forward.
Completion and dedication of new facilities.
The School begins renovation and construction at 100 East End Avenue, including the addition of two floors, a new arts center, new science center and new world language lab.
The School announces its strategic plan to improve four areas: faculty support, financial aid, academic programs and physical facilities.
Dr. Patricia T. Hayot becomes Chapin's sixth Head of School.
The Chapin School celebrates its Centennial.
New facilities, including the Annenberg Center for Learning and Research, are completed and dedicated.
Mrs. Berendsen retires after 44 years at Chapin.
Sandra J. Theunick is appointed Head of School.
Major construction and renovation in the main and wing buildings is completed.
Chapin students participate in the Model United Nations conference at Harvard for the first time.
The first edition of Limelight, the student newspaper, is published.
The Chapin-Brearley Academic Exchange is established, permitting girls in both schools to take courses offered by Chapin or Brearley.
Renovation of the Ethel Grey Stringfellow Wing is completed.
The Ethel Grey Stringfellow Library is dedicated.
The Interschool Program is established to provide expanded opportunities for students in curricular and extracurricular areas.
Students form the Multi-Media Club and go out to report from the street with a videotape machine.
Miss Stringfellow dies.
The School purchases the adjacent building, at 535 East 84th Street, to be known as the Ethel Grey Stringfellow Wing.
The Parents' Association is formed.
Annual prizes for creative writing, known as the Margaret Emerson Bailey Memorial Awards, are established.
Jaqueline Bouvier Kennedy ’47 invites Chapin alumnae to visit the White House.
Miss Stringfellow retires after 50 years at Chapin.
Mildred Jeanmaire Berendsen becomes Headmistress.
Students form a Current Events Club, including a debating society.
Most Club Nights are devoted to activities to advance the war effort.
One hundred people attend the first alumnae luncheon at the School on April 21, 1937.
Miss Fairfax dies and Miss Stringfellow becomes Headmistress.
Author Pearl S. Buck comes to Chapin to speak at News about the situation of women in China.
The name of the School is changed to The Chapin School, Ltd.
Miss Chapin dies.
Older girls are able to attend concerts, lectures, operas and plays in the afternoons.
Miss Chapin retires.
Ethel Grey Stringfellow becomes Joint Headmistress with Miss Fairfax.
The School moves to a new building at 100 East End Avenue.
The School is incorporated as Miss Chapin's School, Ltd.
23 diplomas are awarded.
The enrollment is 319 students.
The School orchestra makes its first appearance and provides music for a school dance competition at Club Night.
The Dramatic Club forms and presents Shakespeare's Twelfth Night as its first play.
The first issue of The Wheel, Chapin's literary magazine, is printed.
Margaret Henderson Bailie ’13 becomes the first Chapin alumna to graduate from college.
The Alumnae Association is formed by Miss Chapin to do war and welfare work.
Mary Cecelia Fairfax becomes Associate Headmistress. The first formal Commencement is held.
Students write the school song around this time, with help from music teacher Mrs. Cartwright.
The Athletic Association is formed.
The School moves to 32 and 34 East 57th Street.
Self-government begins.
Charlotte Harding and Sylvia Holt receive the first Chapin diplomas.
Miss Chapin sets up science laboratories in the basement of the East 58th Street building.
The School moves to two townhouses at 46 and 48 East 58th Street.
A carpentry class is started at the School.
Elocution and penmanship are important parts of the curriculum.
Mary Cecelia Fairfax joins Miss Chapin's faculty.
Maria Bowen Chapin establishes Miss Chapin's School at 12 West 47th Street with seven teachers and 78 students.