Town Timeline
In the early 1900s, Hazel Hyde envisioned an early childhood school based on the idea that the elementary years provide the foundation for all future learning. With this belief in mind, and with a little coaxing from friends, Miss Hyde set out to open a school that would provide an optimal learning environment for young students. In 1913 Miss Hyde’s School opened its doors on East 81st Street as a nursery school for 20 girls and boys.
Almost 100 years later, although the name and location are different, The Town School remains committed to elementary co-education. It now serves 400 students in Nursery 3 through 8th grade.
A brief timeline of Town’s history
1913
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Miss Hazel Hyde founds The Town School (then called Miss Hyde’s School) on E. 81st Street as a nursery school for 20 girls and boys. |
1925
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School moves to 114 E. 76th Street |
1936
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Miss Hyde resigns. School changes name to The Town School and is run by the “Second Founders,” with Harriette Young as President and Margaret Crane and Lois Wright as Co-Directors. |
1943
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Tuition assistance becomes an established school practice. |
1945
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School purchases 114 E. 76th Street and acquires two adjoining brownstones in 1950 and 1959. |
1951
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Parents’ Association organized, 100 students are enrolled. |
1962
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Town’s first 8th Grade class graduates. |
1963
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In search of more space, Town moves into new building at 540 E. 76th Street.
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1968
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Construction begins on addition to implement plan to double enrollment by mid-70s. |
1978
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A growing Town still needs more space. The school acquires and begins construction on two-story factory building south of school, expanding the school footprint to 75th Street. |
1985
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School sells air rights, increases space and establishes an endowment. |
1996
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Town embarks upon a capital campaign to reconfigure internal spaces.
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1999
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Dedication of new library and technology center. 375 students are enrolled. |
2000
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Summerbridge, now Breakthrough New York, joins Town. This program provides enrichment and support for talented, underserved New York City public middle school students. |
2004
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Town hires its first Director of Diversity, a position created to help define and achieve the school’s diversity goals and to foster communication within the Town community about diversity issues.
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2006
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Strategic plan work leads Town to create a new position, Curriculum Coordinator, to help unify curriculum across all grades and keep the school’s program moving forward. 396 students are enrolled.
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2007
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Town becomes charter member of GSA (Green School Alliance) and pledges to reduce its carbon footprint over the next five years. |
2008
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Walter W. Birge theater completely renovated. |
2009
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Solar Panels installed to power Lower and Upper School science classrooms, reducing Town's dependence on the energy grid |
2010
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Lower School classrooms and technology center completely renovated during summer break.
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2011
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Nursery/Kindergarten Wing and play roofs completely renovated during summer break |
2012
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Installation of first wind turbine in a New York City school |
