The House System at the Academy is based on the English prep school tradition.
There are similar programs (and physical “houses”) at the country’s top colleges and universities. They’re part fraternity/sorority, part mini-college, and part Harry Potter. The point is good old-fashioned competition!
How It Works
Every student in Grades 9-12 is assigned to one of five Houses, along with each faculty member of the Upper School. Each House contains students from Grade 9, 10, 11, and 12 so that every student interacts with everyone else in Upper School. Houses compete against one another for glory and the “House Cup,” earning points based on academic and athletic accomplishments, as well as community-service initiatives and House-wide contests like Color Wars or House Jeopardy. Points are deducted for things like lateness or detention.
The House Cup!
The House Cup is a major source of pride on the Academy campus and students and faculty compete diligently for it. The 2009 winner of the House Cup was Methfessel House.
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Methfessel House
Anton Methfessel was the founder of the school, originally the Staten Island Academy and Latin School. He was known for his "Old World Style," his love of languages and music. He was often seen playing his violin as he strolled from classroom to classroom. The flag that represents Methfessel House was designed with the German Flag in mind to reflect the roots of our founder. The two-headed eagle is a traditional symbol of royalty and strength. “He” is a regular visitor to our annual Founders Day assembly in October. |
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Stettinius House
Edward Stettinius was the owner of the property where our campus now sits and his mansion once stood. He was also the father of Secretary of State Edward Stettinius Jr., who served under President Franklin Roosevelt. The Stettinius Mansion, which is the central image of the House flag, was the original home of the Dongan-Arden School and was the central building for Staten Island Academy until it was destroyed by fire in the 1970’s. |
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Merrick House
Dr. Harold Merrick is the Head of School with the distinction of holding the position for the longest tenure of any Academy Head, serving as “Headmaster” for 20 years from 1942-1962. “Merrick” is also the name of the physical house that sits on campus behind our athletic fields and the name of a local street that connects to Todt Hill Road, both named in honor of Dr. Merrick. The House flag depicts a phoenix, which represents re-birth, longevity, and immortality -- all attributes that the life and legacy of Dr. Merrick exemplify. Merrick House was the first-ever recipient of the House Cup in 2005. |
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Willard-Mundorf House
Edith Willard and Elsa Mundorf were two Staten Island Academy teachers who had progressive ideas about education and left the Academy with the school’s blessing to begin their own school. Their school was successful, and they later brought the school and all of its students back into the Staten Island Academy fold in the 1930’s. The House flag contains images from the respective family crests of the Willard and Mundorf families. |
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Partington House
Frederick Partington was the first official Head of School and a very influential figure in the shaping of the school Staten Island Academy would become. Mr. Partington was a nurturing educator, as well as a drummer for his battalion during the Civil War. The flag for Partington House has a central image of an elk, which is a symbol of stability and strength and is taken directly from the family crest of the Partington family. The motto for Partington House is “Fidelity, Fortitude and Honor,” three attributes of Mr. Partington. |
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