Our History
The story of PBDA is as unique as the history of our town of Palm Beach. Our school has maintained academic excellence for generations, cultivating deep traditions that alumni value so much that they enroll their own children to carry them on. Our school continues to change as it always has to meet the challenges of changing trends in education, society, and technology, but we remain what we have always been — a family.
For a more in-depth look at the past, present, and future of our “school by the water,” please visit:
Click each photo below to view captions and to see additional timeline photos.
Palm Beach School for Girls, 1921
Palm Beach School for Girls Student Body, 1927
The original Head of School for The Palm Beach School for Girls was Ada E. Davis.
A Palm Beach School for Girls advert from 1921
Palm Beach School for Boys student body, 1921
The Palm Beach School for Boys was headed by Willard W. Ferguson and Edward M. Shields.
A Palm Beach School for Boys advertisement in 1921
Palm Beach Day Academy was established in 1921 as two separate schools: The Palm Beach School for Girls and The Palm Beach School for Boys.
Palm Beach Private School student body, 1939
In 1930, the two schools merged to form Palm Beach Private School. Pictured here is the Palm Beach Private School student body in 1939.
Palm Beach Private School, 1931
Architect Marion Sims Wyeth designed the Deco Moderne building at 241 Seaview Avenue, today's Upper Campus. The building was ultimately landmarked by the town of Palm Beach in 1991.
Palm Beach Private School classroom
In 1930, the two schools merged to form Palm Beach Private School.
PBDA Field Day, 1946
PBDA Field Day, 1946
PBDA Field Day, 1946
PBDA Field Day, 1946
Annual Pelican-Flamingo Soccer Game 1942
The annual Field Day event was established in 1931 with Pelican Captains Alice Wyeth and Wiley R. Reynolds, Jr., while Flamingo Captains were Marie Bassett and Frank Quigley.
Palm Beach Private School expansion program
Property was purchased by the Palm Beach Private School in the 1950's as part of an expansion program.
Palm Beach Day Academy Upper School , 1953
Green Christmas 1959
In 1959, the Matthews Auditorium was built with support from Mrs. Jean Flagler Matthews in honor of her three sons: George, Robert and William Matthews.
First Bulldog mascot in 1967
Palm Beach Day Academy's mascot is named Spike.
Boys Outing in 1962
The Outing has now become a tradition for the Upper Campus students in Grades 4-7.
Boxing in 1964
Cheerleaders in 1963
Class of 1962
In 1965, Palm Beach Private School became Palm Beach Day School and Walter H. Butler Jr. began his 23-year tenure as Headmaster of Palm Beach Day School.
The school broke ground on the construction of the Wean Library in 1970 with support of the Raymond J. Wean Foundation.
The school for young children was established in 1981 under the direction of Barbara Durrer. Founding Directors were Mr. & Mrs. H. Loy Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. Murray Goodman, Mr. & Mrs. A. Faxon Henderson, and Mr. & Mrs. John F. Koons.
In 1995, the school became the Academy of the Palm Beaches.
Seaview Avenue's Halmos Gymnasium is built with support from Vicki and Peter Halmos.
The Lower Campus Academic Building with the Library and Media Lab is built. The Library & Media Center were constructed with support from William I. Koch. The classroom portion was later named by the Lloyd-Roman Family.
The Lower Campus Primary Building, now called the Pitt Building, is purchased and renovated with support from the William H. Pitt Foundation.
Palm Beach Day School and The Academy of the Palm Beaches join forces to become Palm Beach Day Academy.
The official dedication and opening of the Matthews Center for the Performing Arts and Tracey & Matt Smith Family Theater on Seaview Avenue.
The very first Pelican and Flamingo Hatching Ceremony is held.
The Mandel-Palagye Education Center on the Lower Campus is built with support from the Barbara and Morton Mandel and Stacy and Keith Palagye. The dedication was held on the morning of September 18, 2018.
On February 18, 2021, Palm Beach Day Academy celebrated the 100th day of our 100th year.
