History and Mission

The Hun School Mission

The Hun School provides a diverse community that places a high value on a creative and rigorous traditional college preparatory curriculum in a structured environment; develops character, community and values; meets the students’ differing talents, interests and academic needs through a supportive staff in a variety of programs; and encourages students to widen their horizons, gain an appreciation for and an excitement about learning and achieve their full potential.

The Hun School realizes that to promote an Academic and a Moral Education for every student is a constant, daunting challenge. That is why at The Hun School, stated bedrock principles go far beyond Academic Excellence. At Hun the emphases also are on Integrity, Kindness, Trust, and Commitment.

— Dr. Regan Kenyon
Hun School trustee and president of the Secondary School Admission Testing Board

The Hun School History

Any one of our current students or graduates could tell you different accounts of their experiences at The Hun School. Our history is made up of these tales resulting from learning and living in an environment where academic offerings, extracurricular activities, and athletics help realize the individual.

The foundation for The Hun School of Princeton was laid in 1914 by Dr. John Gale Hun, a professor of Mathematics at Princeton University. As a result of success working with and tutoring his own students, he decided to open the Princeton Math School, a school dedicated to preparing students for entrance into the nation’s top colleges. Soon renamed The Princeton Tutoring School, Dr. Hun expanded the School’s disciplines to include all areas of college-preparatory work. Distinguished for the quality of its teachers and the thorough preparation of its students, Dr. Hun's School reflected his own high standards and his abiding faith in young people.

Because the School soon outgrew its in-town quarters, Dr. Hun purchased property on Stockton Street in 1920. There, he constructed a new school complex with facilities for 150 boarding students. Renamed The Hun school of Princeton in 1925, the School prospered for the next twenty years under John Hun's supervision. In l925, the School acquired forty-five acres of the former Russell Estate on Edgerstoune Road. There in 1930, Dr. Hun constructed a Junior School Building. In 1942, the Upper School was moved from Stockton Street to the Edgerstoune campus. In 1943, the Hun School of Princeton was incorporated as a non-profit institution under the direction of a Board of Trustees.

If a student had an intellect, but didn’t know how to use it, Grandfather would give him the individual attention necessary to prosper. Sometimes he was even willing to pay their education bills.

— Susan McAllen Turner
granddaughter to Dr. John Gale Hun, founder

In 1951, Dr. Paul R. Chesebro, who had served the School as a resident tutor, Assistant Principal, and Assistant Headmaster, assumed the Head mastership. For the next twenty-five years, under his able direction, the School expanded and prospered. Enrollment climbed to 500 students in 1975, and has remained fixed by design at that level. In 1971, female students were admitted. The Middle School, grades seven and eight, was established in 1973, with a sixth grade added in 1977. During the Chesebro years, six major buildings were constructed: Poe Dormitory (1959), the Dining Hall (1959), Carter Dormitory (1964), Chesebro Academic Center (1964), the Gymnasium (1969), and the Buck Activity Center, also housing the Middle School (1974). Despite the dramatic increase in enrollment and facilities, the focus of the educational program remained on the individual student and his particular needs.

The School’s third significant expansion occured in the 1980s. With the enrollment fixed at 580, new facilities were added to enhance the educational, athletic and social life of the students. An all-weather track (1980), the Ralph S. Mason House (1984), the Dingman Center for Science and Technology and the Sellon Information center (1987) all contributed to enriched opportunities for young people to grow as members of The Hun School “family.”

Dr. James Byer ’62 was selected as the new Headmaster beginning in 1994. Dr. Byer was formerly a teacher and dean of students at Hun, principal of the Upper School at Pine Crest School in Florida, and most recently headmaster of Nova University School in Florida.

The School remains distinguished for the quality of its students, the strength of its faculty, the continuing commitment to excellence and the development of individual potential.

A Historical Outline

1914: John Gale Hun founds the Princeton Math School, which shortly thereafter becomes The Princeton Tutoring School.

1920: The School is renamed The Hun School of Princeton, a boy’s boarding and day school on Stockton Street.

1926: The School acquired forty-five acres at Edgerstoune, a country estate, which becomes The Hun School’s Junior Campus.

1942: The Upper School moves from Stockton Street to Edgerstoune Road. The Junior School is discontinued.

1943: The Hun School of Princeton is incorporated as a non-profit institution under the direction of a Board of Trustees.

1945: Upon the death of Dr. Hun, a succession of three headmasters serve for brief periods: John L. Kuschke (1945-1946); Robert C. McAllen (1946-1949); and Fredrick Richards (1949-1951).

1951: Paul R. Chesebro assumes the role of headmaster. Enrollment is approximately seventy-five students.

1959: Poe Dormitory and the dining hall are constructed.

1964: Carter Dormitory and The Alexander K. Buck Activities Center are constructed.

1968: The gymnasium is constructed.

1970: The Alumni Association is established by Gene Freda ’48 and Bill Pearson ’55.

1971: Female day students are enrolled for the first time. 1973: The Middle School, grades 7 and 8, are established.

1975: Female resident students are enrolled. Overall enrollment reaches 500.

1976: Dr. Chesebro retires after twenty-five years as headmaster. Thomas Woodward becomes the sixth headmaster.

1977: The Middle School expands to include grade 6.

1979: G. Gerald Donaldson Jr., a faculty and administrator since 1958, succeeds Thomas Woodward as headmaster.

1979: The School establishes an endowment and builds an all weather track.

1984: The headmaster’s house is constructed and named in honor of Ralph S. Mason ’69.

1985: Building begins on the new Academic Center wing, housing the Perry K. Sellon Information Center and the Michael D. Dingman Center for Science and Technology.

1989: The School celebrates its seventy-fifth year. The first Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to Thomas J. Watson ’33.

1994: James M. Byer ’62, graduate and previous faculty member, is welcomed back to the School to serve as headmaster.

1995: The first members of The Hun School Athletic Hall of Fame are inducted.

1996: The School celebrates twenty-five years of co-education. New faculty housing is completed.

1999: The eco pond is opened as a gift from the alumni whose years end in 4 and 9.

2001: The dining hall is renovated.

2002: The new library is opened.

2004: The Heart of Hun, a renovation of the entrance, lobby, and offices of the Paul R. Chesebro Academic Center, is completed.

2007: Anticipated completion of the new athletic center, and the beginning of the fine arts building renovation project.