Miss Dana's School for Young Ladies
Encyclopedia
Miss Dana's School for Young Ladies was a private boarding
and finishing school
originally founded in 1860 as the Morris Female Institute, in Morristown, New Jersey
at 163 South Street, near Madison Avenue. In 1877 it was leased and renamed by Miss E. Elizabeth Dana. The school closed in 1912 following the passing of Miss Dana.
Miss Dana's most notable student was Dorothy Rothschild, later becoming known as Dorothy Parker
, a popular American writer and poet as well as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table
.
As with most finishing schools, the rules were strict. There was no smoking, no eating between meals, no candy, no evening dresses and no low-neck dresses. Jewelry was to be kept at a minimum, outings required chaperons and of course, bills had to be paid on time. There were no exceptions.
Miss Dana's curriculum was classical and collegiate. There was the usual Bible, reading, writing, history and math, but also geometry, chemistry, astronomy, Latin and even a form of philosophy, which was considered very progressive for that time.
Miss Dana ensured that her students were not only exposed to current social and political topics, but discussions on these topics were held weekly. Her philosophy was "intellectual and moral".
Because of the well-rounded education Miss Dana provided, her students were automatically accepted to Vassar College
, with entrance requirements being waived.
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
and finishing school
Finishing school
A finishing school is "a private school for girls that emphasises training in cultural and social activities." The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the educational experience, with classes primarily on etiquette...
originally founded in 1860 as the Morris Female Institute, in Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the...
at 163 South Street, near Madison Avenue. In 1877 it was leased and renamed by Miss E. Elizabeth Dana. The school closed in 1912 following the passing of Miss Dana.
Miss Dana's most notable student was Dorothy Rothschild, later becoming known as Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker was an American poet, short story writer, critic and satirist, best known for her wit, wisecracks, and eye for 20th century urban foibles....
, a popular American writer and poet as well as a founding member of the Algonquin Round Table
Algonquin Round Table
The Algonquin Round Table was a celebrated group of New York City writers, critics, actors and wits. Gathering initially as part of a practical joke, members of "The Vicious Circle", as they dubbed themselves, met for lunch each day at the Algonquin Hotel from 1919 until roughly 1929...
.
As with most finishing schools, the rules were strict. There was no smoking, no eating between meals, no candy, no evening dresses and no low-neck dresses. Jewelry was to be kept at a minimum, outings required chaperons and of course, bills had to be paid on time. There were no exceptions.
Miss Dana's curriculum was classical and collegiate. There was the usual Bible, reading, writing, history and math, but also geometry, chemistry, astronomy, Latin and even a form of philosophy, which was considered very progressive for that time.
Miss Dana ensured that her students were not only exposed to current social and political topics, but discussions on these topics were held weekly. Her philosophy was "intellectual and moral".
Because of the well-rounded education Miss Dana provided, her students were automatically accepted to Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
, with entrance requirements being waived.