Sayre's History

From its inception in 1854, Sayre School has accepted the challenge of the day to provide in David Sayre’s own words “an education of the widest range and highest order.”  A female institute until 1876, the school survived the tumultuous Civil War and Great Depression eras through adaptive decision making and an eye to the future.

Throughout the years the physical campus evolved as needs arose but has always centered around “Old Sayre,” the original five story Greek Revival centerpiece topped with its landmark cupola. 

In recent history Sayre embarked on a multimillion dollar Renaissance campaign that integrated state of the art architecture, technology, and teaching methodology resulting in an expanded award winning campus and new athletic field complex.  During this time Sayre became the first independent school in the Commonwealth with a one-to-one lap top program.

Today the Sayre experience continues to evolve while grounded in over a century of history. This venerable institution, a major anchor in the downtown community, is guided by the responsible stewardship of the Board of Trustees and Head of School Stephen Manella.