History and Mission

The Kent Place Mission Statement

Kent Place School empowers girls to be confident, intellectual, and ethical leaders who advance the world.

History

In the spring of 1894, six Summit, NJ, businessmen and fathers gathered to discuss the establishment of a school for girls that would ultimately alter the course of education for generations of young women. That fall, on an estate once belonging to New York State Chancellor James Kent (1763–1847), Kent Place School for Girls opened its doors to its first students, with the vision of fine academic training and intellectual pursuits already accessible to boys and young men. In 1896, Kent Place began accepting boarding students. Six boarders were among the 18 Lower School and 36 Upper School students enrolled that academic year. The school prided itself then, as it does today, on its outstanding faculty, challenging curriculum and wide range of cocurricular and social activities.

Today

A highly selective college preparatory school with a strong national reputation for providing a 21st-century learning environment through its comprehensive curriculum, Kent Place continually attracts students from more than 80 different communities throughout northern and central New Jersey. Kent Place demonstrates its commitment to offering lifelong learning experiences for students, faculty and staff, within and beyond the school, through its signature programs, including Global Learning, The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School, Economic & Financial Literacy, STEM and more.

Heads of School

Amelia S. Watts, Principal (1894–1896)
Sarah Woodman Paul, Principal (1896–1924)
Anna Sophia Woodman, Assistant Principal (1896–1924)
Harriet Larned Hunt, Headmistress (1924–1952)
Florence Wolfe, Headmistress (1952–1965)
Macdonald Halsey, Headmaster (1965–1980)
Archibald R. Montgomery III, Headmaster (1980–1986)
Dorothy H. Dillon, Head of School (1986–1987)
Arlene Joy Gibson, Head of School (1987–1996)
Karan Ashford Merry, Head of School (1996–1999)
Susan Collins Bosland, Head of School (1999–2017)
Jennifer C. Galambos, Head of School (2017–Present)

Historical Timeline

1894: Kent Place opens its doors to 60 girls.

1904: Enrollment increases steadily. The trustees, then known as shareholders of the Summit School Company, initiate matching growth in the physical plant. Construction of the gymnasium is completed, later restructured to become part of what is now the Arts Center.
 
1913: The School House, which was also known as the Main Building and is now the Middle School, is built.
 
1917: Despite the school’s growth, finances are a major source of concern. The trustees dissolve the Summit School Company and reorganize Kent Place School as a nonprofit corporation.
 
1924: Hundreds of Kent Place alumnae go on to attend 21 different colleges, including Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe, Smith, Vassar, Wellesley and Wells.
 
1924–1965: Kent Place continues to grow in number of students, in facilities and in reputation.
 
1939–1945: During World War II, courses in first aid and motor mechanics are added to the curriculum. Kent Place takes in British girls to keep them safe during the WWII Blitz.
 
1965: Installation of Kent Place’s first Headmaster, Macdonald Halsey.
 
1968: After 74 years, boarding at KPS ends.
 
1984: The successful 90th Anniversary Capital Campaign brings about the construction of the Field House and the Arts Center.
 
1987: Kent Place launches The Campaign for Endowment, raising more than $5 million for scholarships and faculty support.

1991: The school becomes a founding member of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools.

1993: The new Primary School building was completed.

1995: Creation of the Girls’ Leadership Institute, a renowned summer program for girls.

1996: Installation of Kent Place’s first African-American Head of School, Karan Ashford Merry.

1999: Susan Collins Bosland becomes Interim Head of School. She is inducted as the 10th Head of School in 2000.

2000: Our 1:1 Laptop Program begins in the Upper School, one of the first of its kind in New Jersey.
 
2007: Kent Place breaks ground on a 45,000-square-foot addition to the Main Building and launches a $25 million capital campaign. The largest fundraising effort in the history of the school, The Campaign for Kent Place School, “Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders,” sets the stage for multiple capital projects as well as an increase in Kent Place’s endowment.
 
2007: The Ethics Institute, a first-of-its-kind program at the primary and secondary school levels, promotes the process and practice of ethical decision-making.
 
2009: The new Upper School opens its doors, showcasing state-of-the-art classrooms, university-level science laboratories and an impressive music center. With Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, the Upper School now features modernized recycling capabilities, practices for energy and water conservation, electricity produced by wind power, and improved indoor air quality.
 
2010: The Middle School moves into the renovated Main Building. In addition to classrooms and laboratories, the Middle School houses The Ethics Institute, a STEM lab and a fully restored commons area known as Atwood Hall.

2010: KPS introduces "Uniform with Choice" for the Primary and Middle Schools.

2014: Kent Place joined 28 other schools across the nation to become a charter member of the EPA's Green School Renewable Energy Purchasing Consortium.

2016: Breaks ground for the Center for Innovation, a 32,508-square-foot learning center focusing on the study of STEAM subjects. Publically launches a new $30 million campaign, "Limitless Possibilities" for the construction of new facilities.

2017: KPS welcomes its 11th Head of School Jennifer C. Galambos, who brings a remarkable breadth of experience to the community.

2018: Kent Place's team is the 2018 national High School Ethics Bowl Champion

2019: Kent Place celebrates its 125th year anniversary

2019: Kent Place inducts five alumnae, one team, and one coach into its first Athletics Hall of Fame.

2020: Kent Place opens its doors for full time on-campus (with remote open) leaning amidst the global COVD-19 pandemic

2020: Board of Trustees unanimously approves Kent Place's updated mission statement: Kent Place School empowers girls to be confident, intellectual, and ethical leaders who advance the world

2021: "Empower Girls. Advance the World." Strategic Plan launches

Today: Our graduates report — from more than 225 colleges and universities — that Kent Place has uniquely prepared them for life’s wide range of opportunities and challenges.
42 Norwood Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901   |   (908) 273-0900
Kent Place School is an all-girls K through 12 independent college preparatory day school with a coeducational Preschool, located in Summit, NJ.

  • TEST WHAT'S "EXPECTED."

    That's our mantra in robotics. Try crazy things, be free with your ideas, and see what happens. If you're going to build the future, you'll need to be a pioneer. –Emma, seventh grade

  • LEAN INTO DIFFICULTY.

    When it comes to academics, it pays to challenge yourself. I'm in the Bioethics Symposium, presenting research on the ethics of genetically-enhanced intelligence. At times it's daunting—research, deadlines, time management—but it's also a whole new way of thinking. Very independent and "you-driven." –Isabella, sophomore

  • OWN YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE

    It's one of the "conversation norms" we have at Kent Place, and it's always resonated with me. Everyone has a different and equally valid perspective to bring to the table—so put yourself out there. –Mary, senior

  • DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO GET A LABEL.

    There are no jocks here at Kent Place, no science geeks, no theater nerds. Last month a varsity athlete went to sing at the Vatican. Everyone here has some unique quality — and they’re amazing at what they do. –Claire, senior

  • MATH COMES FROM YOU

    When you've computed something for yourself, the story is different. The girls here feel like the math is coming from them, rather than from a textbook. You won't hear a Kent Place girl ask, "What answer are they looking for?" The girls are looking for their own answers, and they're on their own path. –Dr. Ralph Pantozzi, Mathematics Department Chair

  • GET READY FOR RIGOROUS WORK.

    And multiple extracurricular activities. Busy days, and a few late nights. But through it all, don’t lose your sense of fun. –Alessandra, junior

  • MAKE CONNECTIONS.

    KPS alumnae are amazing. I met one alumna after a math and science panel who works in retail architecture. That made me think about a cool way to combine two of my interests — math and fashion. –Amber, junior

  • YOUR TIME AT KPS IS GOING TO OPEN UP OPTIONS YOU HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT.

    And when it's time to choose, you're going to know yourself so well, you'll pick the college that's the best fit for you—academically, socially, personally. So don't get tunnel vision. This is your process. Just know that you'll be ready! –Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Advising

  • SOLVING PROBLEMS IS A JOURNEY, ENJOY THE RIDE!

    In the Middle School we do a Science Expo—either two or four people work on a science project for a couple of months and then present it to the entire class. We go into some in-depth projects and it’s incredible what we learn along the way, and how willing our teachers are to help us through the tough parts. –Toni Ann, eighth grade

  • SPEAK YOUR MIND.

    Every girl here learns from an early age how to speak up and speak to adults. You never feel silly raising your hand, and you’re given lots of opportunities to speak publicly. I’m never shy about saying what’s on my mind. –Vittoria, fourth grade

  • ETHICS WILL CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE OUTLOOK.

    Right away, we tackled questions of "right versus right." We're learning to look at every issue from both sides, which helps with everything from homework to friendships. –Elizabeth, eighth grade