Private school destroyed by fire in suburban Philadelphia

Wyncote Academy's home was a 130-year-old manor house in Montgomery County, Pa.
March 16, 2015

Fire has destroyed the 130-year-old building that housed a private secondary school in suburban Philadelphia.

The blaze broke out on Saturday at Wyncote Academy in Chelthenham Township north of the city.

"Despite the valiant efforts of numerous local first responders, the building was unfortunately overtaken by the flames and destroyed," the school's website reports. "The Wyncote staff is heart broken, but they vow to carry on the mission and philosophies that have been molded and perfected over the past forty years."

Classes have been canceled Monday and Tuesday, but the school has arranged to relocate its operations to the Mendel Campus of Gratz College in Melrose Park, Pa. Classes are scheduled to resume Wednesday.

The venerable building was one of the key selling points of the school.

"Our beautiful turn-of-the-century manor house and large, treed property are only two of the many reasons Wyncote is one of the best high schools in Montgomery County," the school website states.

Wyncote Academy has about 65 students enrolled in grades 6 through 12. It opened in 1973 and its curriculum focuses on personalized instruction for at-risk students.

About the Author

Mike Kennedy

Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy, senior editor, has written for AS&U on a wide range of educational issues since 1999.

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