SALISBURY, Md.- Incorporated in 1969 in the belief that “the basic purpose of education is to help the learner to learn, and that the method of this education is more important than the content,”The Salisbury School opened its doors at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in the fall of 1970.
When students return to the campus on Aug. 31, the school will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.
After two years in rented space, the school built its own building in 1972 on 18.5 acres on Hobbs Road in Salisbury. Designed by Hardy, Holzman and Pfeiffer Associates of New York, the building layout was conceived with experiential learning as its guide.
Growing each year as classes advanced, the school served students up to eighth gradeuntil committed parents and administration made the decision to expand the school to include an upper school in 1996. The domed building, also designed by Hardy, Holzman and Pfeiffer, celebrated its first 12th grade graduating class in spring 2001.
In 2005, middle school students got their own architecturally significant home designed by local firm Becker Morgan Group. The three buildings, with their open plan designs, multi-use flexible gathering spaces, and ample natural light reflect the school’s belief that education is a dynamic relationship of shared responsibility between the students and teachers.
The Salisbury School said its founding experiential learning philosophy, refined and expanded over 50 years, continues to play out today in a broad and deep exploration of core curriculum complimented by a commitment to the arts, physical health, and personal development. Important traditions such as the morning handshake at the tunnel door, Global Awareness Day, Give and Receive Day, and All-School Read Day have served to keep TSS students grounded, and to open their eyes to the wider world.
Honoring of the school’s 50th anniversary milestone year will culminate with a multi-event celebration the weekend of May 15, 2021. All in the school community are welcome to get involved. Contact Lois Colaprete at locolaprete@thesalisburyschool.org or on 410-742-4464, ext. 145 for more details of the celebration.
Construction of the Lower school building with it's unique triangular entrance and tunnel. (Photo: The Salisbury School)
Construction of the Lower school building with it's unique triangular entrance and tunnel. (Photo: The Salisbury School)