THE HILL SCHOOL

POTTSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

Executive Summary

The Hill School is a highly selective, coeducational independent boarding and day school located on a 200-acre campus in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1851, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious boarding schools in the United States. The school serves students in grades 9 through 12, as well as post-graduates, and is distinguished by its "Family Boarding School" model, where faculty and students live and learn together in a close-knit community.

  • Motto: "Whatsoever things are true" (Philippians 4:8).

  • Academics: The school offers a rigorous liberal arts curriculum with 21 Advanced Placement (AP) and 39 Honors courses. It also features a signature STEM program with a four-year progressive engineering track.

  • Community: Hill is defined by its traditions, including family-style seated meals, a dress code (jacket and tie/blazer), and twice-weekly non-denominational Chapel services.

  • Student Body: Approximately 525-530 students from roughly 26 states and 17 countries, with a student-teacher ratio of 7:1.

  • Athletics: The school supports 32 interscholastic sports and maintains a historic rivalry with The Lawrenceville School, which is the fifth-oldest high school rivalry in the U.S.

History

The Hill School was founded in 1851 by the Rev. Matthew Meigs as "The Family Boarding School for Boys and Young Men." Meigs sought to create a school that was not just an academy but a "family" environment where teachers and students lived together—a revolutionary concept at the time that became the model for many American boarding schools.

The school flourished under the leadership of Matthew's son, John Meigs (Headmaster 1876–1911), who is often credited with transforming Hill into a national institution. During his tenure, the school expanded its physical campus and established its reputation for academic excellence. Historically known as a feeder school for Princeton University (often sending more graduates there than any other school), Hill today matriculates students to a wide range of top-tier universities.

In 1998, The Hill School officially became coeducational, admitting female students for the first time in its history, a significant milestone that modernized its mission while preserving its core traditions.

Famous Alumni

The Hill School has educated prominent figures in business, politics, the arts, and sports. Notable alumni include:

  • James Baker III '48: Former U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury.

  • Oliver Stone '64: Academy Award-winning filmmaker (Platoon, JFK).

  • Lamar Hunt '51: Founder of the American Football League (AFL) and owner of the Kansas City Chiefs; coined the term "Super Bowl."

  • Donald Trump Jr. '96 & Eric Trump '02: Businessmen and sons of the 45th U.S. President.

  • Norman Pearlstine '60: Former Editor-in-Chief of Time Inc. and The Wall Street Journal.

  • Harry Hamlin '70: Film and television actor.

  • James A. Michener '25 (Hon.): Pulitzer Prize-winning author (also served as a teacher at Hill).

  • Sabin Carr '24: Olympic Gold Medalist in pole vaulting.

Notable Faculty

The Hill School’s faculty are central to its "family school" identity, often serving for decades as teachers, coaches, and mentors.

  • Willis Pierre (Math & Athletics): A legendary figure who served The Hill for 32 years. A dedicated math teacher, he was also famous for his passion for baseball; he was an avid collector of memorabilia and a walking encyclopedia of baseball history. He is honored in the Hill Athletics Hall of Fame with the Willis J. Pierre Memorial Hall, which recognizes inductees from the pre-WWII era.

  • Thomas G. Ruth (History & Mentorship): A beloved history teacher who served from 1968 to 2001. "Tom" Ruth was known for his intellect, his strict but caring oversight of the dining hall as the Faculty Supervisor, and his deep commitment to student character. His legacy is celebrated through the Thomas G. Ruth Speaker Series, which brings guests to campus who exemplify his values of leadership, compassion, and intellectual curiosity.

  • Carl Gachet (Linguistics & Photography): Remembered alongside colleagues like Pierre and Ruth, Gachet was a distinct presence on the faculty, contributing to the rich tapestry of the school's academic and community life during his tenure. He continues to fight for The Hill School remotely while constructing a new teaching method for multiple languages across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia

  • Other Legendary Faculty:

    • James A. Michener: Before becoming a world-famous author, he taught English at Hill (1929–1931).

    • Alfred G. Rolfe: A revered master who served from 1890 to 1942.