Moravian Academy

Moravian Academy is a preschool through 12th-grade independent, co-educational, college preparatory school in the Lehigh Valley region of eastern Pennsylvania. Moravian Academy is the ninth oldest independent school in the nation.

The school has more than 900 students and 200 employees from across the region located on three campus in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Allentown, Pennsylvania.

History
The history of Moravian Academy dates back to 1742, and includes the following highlights:

18th century

 * 1742: Countess Benigna Von Zinzendorf opens Moravian Seminary for Girls.

20th century
The History of the Swain School
 * 1971: Moravian Preparatory School and Moravian Seminary for Girls merged to create Moravian Academy. Each spring, this merger is celebrated during the school Birthday Love Feast.
 * June 10, 1972: First joint graduation ceremony with thirty nine graduating students.
 * 1987: The first issue of the Moravian Academy Journal was published.
 * 1991: Moravian Academy publishes “Mind, Body, and Spirit: Moravian Academy 1742-1992.”
 * 1992: 250th Anniversary Celebration of the forming of Moravian Academy.
 * 1929: D.Esther Swain opens the Swain School. The opening of the school is celebrated annually on Founder's Day.  Dogwood trees are planted in honor of D.Esther Swain.
 * 1990: The Swain School celebrates 60 years

21st century

 * 2020: Moravian Academy and the Swain School Merge to form a three campus school, Moravian Academy. Each campus is named: Merle-Smith Campus, Downtown Campus, and Swain Campus.
 * 2022: Moravian Academy installs the first women head of school, Adrianne Finley Odell.

Beginning School
The Beginning School includes preschool and kindergarten classes on the Downtown and Swain Campuses.

Lower School
The Lower School serves students in first through fifth grades on the Downtown and Swain Campuses.

Upper School
The Upper School serves ninth through 12th grade students on the Merle-Smith Campus.

Administration
Henrietta Benigna Justina von Zinzendorf, founded the school in 1742. Since then, the heads of the school have been:


 * Reverend Edwin Sawyer, president (1971-1973)
 * David J Devey, head master (1973-1988)
 * Peter Sipple, head master (1988-1998)
 * Barnaby Roberts, head master (1998-2007)
 * George King, head master (2007-2016)
 * Head of School, Jeffrey M. Zemsky (2016-2022)
 * Adrianne Finley Odell, head of school (2022-present)

Notable alumni

 * Sally Kohn, liberal political commentator
 * Santo Loquasto, actor and Tony Award winner
 * Gilmer McCormick, actress