The Winsor School history

She quickly established a viable and growing school for girls, bearing her name, and began sending its graduates to college in 1895.

By 1900 the student body grows to 99 girls.

1907 A group of parents and other supporters of girls’ education forms the Winsor Corporation and purchases land on the Fenway.

In 1910, the Winsor School opened with 225 students.

1915 The first edition of the student-run publication, the “Lamp,” is published in December.

1918 “School City” student government is started to teach students about civic leadership.

Winsor continued as head of the school until 1922.

1923 Winsor acquires the land owned by the Longwood Cricket Club when the club moves to Chestnut Hill.

In 1924, the first Gymnasium (“cage”) is built on the former Cricket Club land.

A new school was built in Greenville in 1930, on Putnam Pike.

1931 The Class IV Shakespeare play tradition begins with the production of “Twelfth Night.”

1936 The first Class banner is created for the Class of 1936.

1943 Winsor opens a five-day boarding residence for approximately 14 students at 12 Hawes Street in Brookline, within walking distance of school.

She influenced the growth of her school and showed continued interest in it until her death in 1950.

1963 The Franklin Dexter Wing (“New Wing”) opens as the first addition to the School, including a new dining room, kitchen, and five classrooms.

1970 The first African American graduates from Winsor.

1973 The first issue of the joint Winsor-Belmont Hill newspaper, “The Panel” is published.

1983 Pilgrim Road is closed from Short Street to Longwood Avenue, uniting the campus.

1984 Winsor begins offering a semester at the Mountain School, the first of many off-campus study opportunities..

1994 The first “Under the Lights” celebrates the start of night-time playing opportunities on the school fields.

2004 Peter Hall opens, offering a new space for the dining room and kitchen, and adding science laboratories, faculty offices, a photography laboratory and faculty workroom.

2011 Winsor celebrates its 125th anniversary with hundreds of alumnae, students, past and present faculty, families and friends.

2015 The Lubin-O’Donnell Center for the performing arts, athletics and wellness opens.

2016 Sarah Pelmas begins her leadership role as Winsor's eighth head of school.