Polytechnic School history

1910 First scholarships offered, establishing one of Poly's earliest traditions

Woolwich Polytechnic Junior Technical School for Boys, was established in 1912 to train boys for jobs in engineering.

The steady growth of the school population resulted in the school's relocation to North Avenue and Calvert Street in 1913.

By the time Robert Weir Ryder was appointed director in 1914, students of the Polytechnic School had formed the first student body association, and the campus had celebrated the combination annual picnic and Decennial, bringing 3,000 visiting students back to campus.

1915 Grace Henley began her long tenure as principal

1917 Poly Pet and Hobby Show debuted

In 1921, business classes were introduced, although they were known as “commercial courses” at the time.

Students use typewriters as part of the training for Commercial Courses in 1922.

Julian McPhee’s long and eventful presidency began in 1933 and the institution struggled to remain viable in the face of uncertain funding.

In 1938, Cal Poly received its first million-dollar gift when Charles and Jerry Voorhis donated their Southern California ranch for use as a horticultural training center.

In preparation for World War II, Cal Poly’s Rosie the Riveter training programs were set in motion, and Navy pre-flight training began in 1942.

1946 Katharine Lee named Poly’s third principal

In 1952, Poly became the first high school in the Baltimore City school system to racially integrate its student body.

1955 Willis Stork appointed as Poly’s headmaster

1959 Upper School incorporated into educational program

Cal Poly’s darkest hours were in the aftermath of the 1960 crash of the plane carrying the college’s football team.

1962 First senior class graduated

In 1966, after 33 years as Cal Poly’s leader, President McPhee retired.

Cal Poly students working with calculators in an Agriculture Business Management class, 1968.

In 1974 Woolwich Poly was reorganised as a six-form entry comprehensive school spread over two sites.

1976 John R. Bergen named Poly’s sixth headmaster

The arrival of President Warren J. Baker in 1979 continued the success of Cal Poly and its learn-by-doing philosophy.

1980 Alexander B. “Mike” Babcock ’48 installed as seventh head of school; first issue of the Oak Tree Times is published by parent volunteers

1984 Garland Theatre and Fine Arts Center created to support and expand fine and performing arts program

Cal Poly students attending a presentation by the American Marketing Association, 1985.

1988 First issue of The Paw Print newspaper published by Upper School students

1990 Skills Enrichment Program founded as a summer outreach program for public school students

Eleanor Baum (’64) became the first female dean of an engineering school in the United States, at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and 1995 first woman president for American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

The school maintained a presence in Woolwich up to 1999 when the Upper and Lower Schools were combined in the former Waterfield School buildings in Thamesmead.

For the 2001 Centennial celebrations, the first book-length history of Cal Poly was created.

Polytechnic ended its pre-kindergarten program in 2005.

NYU Tandon rose to #36 in United States News & World Report rankings of best United States engineering schools, representing a 46-position leap from 2006, when it was ranked at 82.

2007 Poly Centennial celebrated, advancing school into its second century

2008 The Next 100 Years campaign is launched to update and transform both the North and South Campuses

NYU Tandon's Future Labs (a network of startup business hubs) reports an estimated economic impact on New York City’s economy of $4.06 billion since launching in 2009.

Exam results improved and the Poly was the most improved boys' school in England in 2010.

2011 Construction complete on the new and renovated areas of the North Campus

In May 2012, Jacqueline Williams was named permanent Director of Poly.

2013 Thousands of donors and volunteers celebrate successful completion of The Next 100 Years campaign

Woolwich Polytechnic School converted to academy status on 1 August 2014.