We invite you to join us on Wednesday, October 18 to celebrate the 94th anniversary of the founding of D. Esther Swain’s school in 1929. This unique celebration spotlights our music program, student speakers, and honors the history of our campus. Students will also be learning about our special school story in the weeks leading up to October 18, so we wanted to share some of that history with you.

Mrs. Swain’s first kindergarten class in 1929 began with “eight likable boys and girls” in a rear bedroom of a local reverend’s home. Her husband was hired as a professor at Muhlenberg College, and their wives begged Mrs. Swain to begin her kindergarten. Mrs. Swain served as the only teacher and the class utilized orange crates donated by the local grocer to build bookcases and dramatic play areas, and the class gathered as a circle for songs, games, and stories. Over the next few years, the school grew in numbers because no children wanted to ‘graduate’ but also faced challenges that included an outbreak of whooping cough and a need for more space. The school transitioned to other spaces in Allentown including rooms at the Masonic Temple, a home on N. 23rd Street, and finally to our current site on S. 24th Street. 

Our current campus buildings were built on land donated by Miss Marjorie Allison, a member of Mrs. Swain’s Advisory Committee and a member of the original Board of Directors, a group later known as the Board of Trustees. In the same year, the school was incorporated as a non-profit educational institution and adopted the name The Swain Country Day School. Students and teachers officially moved into the new school building on September 11, 1951. 

A few other fun facts about the school: 

• Swain once had a high school! The first 12th grade class graduated in 1967 and the high school wound down with lower enrollment in the 1970’s. 
• In 1972, Swain donated land at the back of our property to Salisbury Fire Co. No. 3 and is affectionately known as The Swain Station. A newer building is currently under construction on that land.
• VIP Day (formerly known as Grandparents Day in Mrs. Swain’s time) has always been a BIG DEAL. In her own words, the day was “a happy joyous time!” Mrs. Swain presented her ideas for our first Grandparents Day at the Independent School Conference in 1970, and 20 other schools adopted the idea the next year, following our model!
• The Swain School merged with Moravian Academy officially on August 13, 2020. This new chapter for the school provides many opportunities for a broader community while also a desire to maintain the close-knit dynamics that make Swain so special.

The tenets of a Swain education have remained constant over the years. D. Esther Swain believed in a multi-faceted education that included a strong foundation in academics, hands-on field trips and experiential learning, building connections within the community, and outstanding communication skills. We continue to strive to live up to D. Ester Swain’s words: “We nurture the collective joy of learning and individual spirit within each child.”