Girard College
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Girard College is a private, U.S. boarding school on a 43 acre (170,000 m²) campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for academically capable students, grades 1 through 12, from families with limited financial resources, headed by a single parent or guardian.
As of 2004, there were 669 students enrolled, 268 elementary school students (grades 1-5), 211 middle school students (grades 6-8), and 190 high school students (grades 9-12). Girard employs a total of 124 faculty members: 72 academic teachers and 52 residential advisors. All of the students receive full scholarships.
Girard College was founded in 1833 and opened to students on January 1, 1848, under provisions made in the will of financier Stephen Girard, who was possibly the wealthiest man in America at the time of his death in 1831. The school was originally instituted for the education of poor white orphan boys. It now welcomes women and children of all races. A peculiar provision of the will prevents any ecclesiastic, missionary, or minister of any sect from having any connection with the college, and clergymen are not even allowed to enter the grounds.
The tales of outlandish statutes such as these led to a number of rumors spreading about the contents of Girard's will. One widely believed, but ultimately apocryphal "provision" was that the financier demanded the College be surrounded by a 20-foot wall. To be in absolute compliance with his will, his benefactors built the wall, but sunk it 10 feet below the ground, so it would appear at a less extreme height. This rumor is still referenced in modern times.
