Archmere Academy

Archmere Academy is a private Roman Catholic college preparatory school of approximately 500 students and is based in Claymont, Delaware. The academy is co-educational and is run independently within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.

History

Archmere Academy was founded in 1932 by the Norbertine religious order, initially as an all-boys school. It began on the former estate of U.S. industrialist John J. Raskob who lived in the residence with his wife Helena and their 12 children until 1931. Raskob was the campaign manager for New York Governor Al Smith during his presidential campaign in 1928 and the home was used for many meetings, including those of the Democratic National Committee

The estate was purchased by Bernard Pennings in 1932. Pennings was the Abbot of the Norbertine Order and also attributed as the founder of St. Norbert College, a private Catholic liberal arts college located in De Pere, Wisconsin. The estate was purchased for $300,000 in the spring of 1932 and officially dedicated in the fall of 1932. The first year of operation, Archmere Academy had an enrollment of 22 students, 16 freshmen and 6 sophomores. In 1933 and 1934, enrollment grew to 50 students and 72 students respectively.