125 Years of
Tuxedo Park School

Leon D. Bonnet was the first Headmaster at Tuxedo Park School, which for five years was housed in a small home, initially rented from the Tuxedo Park Association. Mr. Bonnet and two other teachers led the school. As student enrollment increased, a group of parents formed "The Tuxedo School Company" to purchase the house, soon renovating it to twice the size.

The Enoboes saw Tuxedo Park School through a period of growth and depression, as many houses were boarded up after the 1929 stock market plunge. In 1941, enrollment was down to 35 students, the building was in need of repair, and all outstanding bonds were in default. So, "The Tuxedo Park School Company" sold the building back to "The Tuxedo Park Association" to clear their debt in hopes of a new strong leader. Notable expectations that continue to exist today were the instruction of French, Latin, and, most importantly, Public Speaking.

Mr. Barber formed a Board of Trustees and incorporated the school as a not-for-profit corporation as the Tuxedo Park Country Day School. He instituted the Green and Gold teams and founded a music and drama program. Mr. Barber established academic and athletic trophies and plaques that are still awarded today.

Mr. Yardley worked with the Board of Trustees, and Mr. Sonne, a board member and long-time benefactor for TPS, to move the school into the Tilford House, an old English Manor-style home initially built for Henry Poor. Mr. Sonne purchased the home in an auction and donated it to the school. In 1947 Tuxedo Park Country Day School received its ultimate charter and became Tuxedo Park School.

Mr. Potter instituted the first Spelling Cup, which is still held today. The first year for yearbooks was 1950. Potter identified a weakness in the athletics program; therefore, he hired an athletic director and arranged athletic games with other schools. He decided children should wear uniforms to save money, create a neater appearance, and eliminate dress competition. Most significantly, in 1957, he oversaw the transition as the school moved to its current location, Blairhame.

At the start of his term, Mr. Hazard founded the library in December 1959. In an effort to increase enrollment, he also welcomed the first ninth-grade class in 1961.

John (Jack) Shepard began a skiing program at the Sterling Forest Ski Center. No longer in operation, ski days are still held at Mt. Peter in Warwick. Mr. Shepard oversaw the first capital campaign, raising funds for a building expansion, now known as the primary school. In 1972, after receiving the first NYS accreditation, he changed the classification to a school for Nursery through Grade 9 and saw interest from outside the park for the first time. In his last year at TPS, he created a "real" science laboratory on the second floor of the upper school, now known as the Dow Science Lab.

Under Mr. McLaren's reign, the Menuscript, a monthly publication about the happenings at TPS, came to be. Joan Overton, the Blair's daughter, gifted the "Pink House" to the school, which became the home for the Head of School. He established the Norma Farber Poetry Award, the Judith E. Feiner Art Award, and the A.V. Barber Plaque for sportsmanship and a sense of honor and service. Mr. Barber also raised money and labor to build the original playground (since replaced) and dedicated it to Louise Shepard, HOS John Shepard's daughter.

Ms. Bayliss made a profound impact in her first year with the inception of the middle school, the drama workshops, and a 9th-grade curriculum about the Hudson Valley. She oversaw the establishment of the Feiner Art Room, The Davis Theatre, and the McLean Music Room. During her tenure, more awards came to be: The Ski Bowl for Girls, The Lorillard Cup, and The Kennedy Cup.

In addition to many capital improvements made under Burger's tenure, the school benefitted from his leadership in bringing in more qualified faculty and initiating a program of professional development and evaluation, establishing endowed funds, increasing tuition assistance, installing solar panels that provide the school with one-third of its electricity annually, and increasing enrollment. He oversaw the second major capital campaign to finance the second addition to Blairhame, the building of the middle school wing.

Ms. McNamara led the school through its Strategic Planning Process and piloted new programs that underscored technology, engineering, and design.

Mr. Stansbery was committed to honoring the many traditions of Tuxedo Park School, embracing them with enthusiasm and joy. He oversaw the establishment of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, committed to the growth and development of faculty to ensure all members of our community felt a sense of belonging.

Mr. Johnson comes to TPS with great expertise after leading as Head of School at St. Bernards in Manhattan for 35 years. Click here to read a message from Stuart.