The Kiski School

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The Kiski School
Established 1888
Type Private all-male secondary
Headmaster Christopher A. Brueningsen
Students 210
Grades 9–12 & PG
Location Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Campus Rural
Colors Black and white
Mascot Cougars
Website www.kiski.org

The Kiski School is a private all-male boarding school located in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest remaining all-male boarding school in the United States.

It was founded in 1888 on the site of a former summer resort by Andrew Wilson, cousin of later U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. The school, approximately 40 miles (60 km) east of Pittsburgh, is situated on a wooded hill overlooking the Kiskiminetas River separating Westmoreland County from Indiana County and has an enrollment of roughly 210 boys from grades 9-12 & PG. 35% of the student body is from outside the United States. The John A. Pidgeon Library, located on campus, has been recognized for its outstanding quality and service.

There are 60 different courses that make up Kiski's classic, yet innovative liberal arts education, including history, literature, social and natural sciences, and fine arts. These courses mirror the curriculum in the nation's best universities. Student life is active, multifaceted, and based around the campus. Kiski has a nine-hole golf course, two swimming pools, tennis courts, and football, baseball, and soccer fields. There are at least 17 active student organizations, performing-arts groups, and community service opportunities. Kiski requires every student to participate in athletics. Because the goal of the athletic program is to encourage every boy to play a sport at his level of ability, students are not graded on their athletic performance. Kiski offers 13 sports teams (10 at the varsity level), and a range of junior varsity and freshmen teams. There is also a summer golf camp. Kiski boys live two to a room in one of nine dorms. Normally, there are two or more faculty members-as well as their families and pets-in each residence. Every Kiski boy eats meals with a faculty family and adheres to a coat-and-tie dress code.

In 2003, Kiski reinstated a day-student program that allows students to attend without having to reside on campus.

The current headmaster is Chris Brueningsen.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1888, Andrew W. Wilson, purchased the resort that had once resided among the refreshing natural mineral springs and took the Kiskiminetas name for his school. Wilson believed that the beautiful setting would enhance the education of the young men who would study there. Wilson made academic rigor in the classroom and healthy competition on the athletic fields the hallmarks of the educational experience at Kiski. By 1894 Kiski had graduated 42 and sent 26 of them to Princeton.

Wilson built a tradition of a strong and loyal faculty at Kiski. It endures to this day. Originally the faculty numbered two, Wilson, a graduate of Princeton and Pennsylvania Law School, and R. W. Fair, who taught mathematics and who co-founded the School. Then came Dr. W. H. MacColl who eventually succeeded Wilson as president in 1930. Faculty members J. L. Marks and Colonel J. J. Daub also made significant contributions to the School's character and traditions during these critical early years. Now there are thirty-six faculty members in a school of 210 boys.

L. M. Clark was elected president of the Board of Trustees in 1941 and appointed Headmaster of Kiski in 1942. Clark was responsible for many campus additions and improvements. When Clark retired in 1957, the trustees chose the promising young assistant to the Headmaster of Deerfield Academy, John A. Pidgeon, to succeed him.

Under Pidgeon's forty-five year leadership, the School's facilities, endowment, and academic reputation grew. Four new dormitories were built and others renovated; a new classroom building, dining hall, library, fine arts center, and administrative complex were constructed.

A new baseball field, a swimming pool, an outdoor track, a field house and golf course complete the array of facilities. In addition, all buildings and student rooms have been completely wired for computers, and all students are provided with a laptop computer.

[edit] Athletics

  • Football
  • Soccer
  • Cross Country
  • Golf
  • Wrestling
  • Swimming
  • Basketball
  • Hockey
  • Diving
  • Lacrosse
  • Baseball
  • Track and Field
  • Tennis

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Trescavage, Jamie. Clark to attend Kiski Prep. Fight on State Website. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
  2. ^ David Conrad. Yahoo TV Website. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
  3. ^ About Jack. Official Website of Jack Hanna. Retrieved on 2007-02-24.
  4. ^ "MURTHA, John Patrick, Jr., (1932-)." Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress. [1]
  5. ^ Call, Andy. "Massillon’s Stuhldreher went on to become one of the ‘Four Horsemen’", Canton Repository Website, 2002-01-19. Retrieved on 2007-02-25. 

[edit] External links

The Kiski School, a college preparatory boarding school in Saltsburg, Pa., captured the interscholastic championship Jan. 31 of the StrongLand Chamber of Commerce Math League competition at Penn State New Kensington..