Roots of Excellence

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

It is with immense joy and pride that I invite you to join our celebration of 125 years of Miss Fine's School and 100 years of Princeton Country Day School. These dual milestones represent a long history of educational excellence, growth and unwavering commitment to nurturing young minds from 1899 and 1924 to our united present as Princeton Day School.

As you revisit the past through photographs, historical documents and first-hand accounts, I hope you will be reminded of the vision and perseverance of May Margaret Fine, James Howard Murch, Dean Mathey and the many students, educators and alumni whose contributions continue reverberating through our halls. 

As we reflect on our history, it is clear that the diversity represented in our school today is more robust than ever. Each of us brings our backgrounds and personalities to share in creating a rich and vibrant community, and we are grateful for the ever-evolving tapestry of identities, cultures and lived experiences within our halls. I deeply believe our founders would take pride in our enduring commitment to nurturing a culture of mutual support, compassion and togetherness. 

And so, it is because of the leaders, innovators and creators of long ago that we stand here at present; it is because of you that we will endure and flourish in the years ahead. As we reflect on 125 years of Miss Fine’s School and a century of Princeton Country Day, we eagerly look forward to Princeton Day School’s boundless future and the new traditions, milestones and accomplishments yet to come. Thank you for helping to write this next, exciting chapter in our history. 

Warmly, 

Kelley Nicholson-Flynn P'26
Head of School 

History

Princeton Day School has a rich educational heritage reaching from the 19th century to today.

Our campus along the Great Road in Princeton opened in 1965 thanks to the incredible generosity of Dean Mathey, whose gifts to PDS include not only the property but also financial support. Our school continues to thrive today because of the vision and dedication of educators, students and families from Miss Fine's School and Princeton Country Day School.

In 1899, educator May Margaret Fine opened a school in Princeton to prepare young women for college with a curriculum including English, French, Latin, history and mathematics. At a time when they were not expected to attend college, Miss Fine's School was a bold venture. In 1924, a group of parents established an elementary school for boys on Bayard Lane known as Princeton Country Day School (PCDS). Both Miss Fine's and PCDS schools flourished and in 1965, when the advantages of coeducation could not be ignored, the two merged to become Princeton Day School (PDS). To learn more about the school's history, visit our 50th anniversary page.