History
Built on Tradition, Focused on the Future
Manlius Pebble Hill School’s story is one of tradition, excellence, and purpose. Rooted in more than 140 years of educational leadership in Central New York, MPH draws strength from its past while preparing students for the future—honoring the legacy that continues to shape our values, culture, and community today.
📜 Where We Began
1869: The Manlius School is founded as St. John’s School by Bishop Frederic Dan Huntington, The Manlius School began as a civilian boarding school in the Village of Manlius.
1970: The Manlius School and Pebble Hill School merge to form Manlius Pebble Hill School (MPH). The new school opened with 550 students, combining a coeducational, non-military day and boarding program across both campuses.
Many traditions that originated at our predecessor schools are still celebrated today—Red & White Day and the Opening Day Handshake Ceremony, for example.
Legacy of excellence:
The Manlius School was once one of the nation’s top military academies and a feeder school for West Point.
Pebble Hill graduates consistently matriculated to leading colleges and universities.
Together, these histories established MPH’s enduring commitment to rigorous academics and character development.
- Today, MPH reflects the combined traditions, values, and strengths of both founding schools—creating a unified community built from two historic institutions.
🏫 A Campus That Honors Its Past
4,200+ alumni across the globe remain part of the MPH story.
Campus spaces reflect our heritage:
Memorial plaques honoring alumni who served in World War I and II
Photos of historic athletic teams celebrating school pride
Recognition plaques that inspire today’s students to leave their own mark
These visible reminders connect current students to generations of MPH graduates who came before them.
🔴⚪ Tradition Meets the Future
MPH’s Central New York roots stretch back more than 140 years.
Our history informs our values—but our focus is always forward.
We continue to provide a challenging, supportive education that prepares students for college, career, and life.
At MPH, tradition isn’t just remembered—it’s lived every day.
📖 Want to Learn More?
Explore the full story of our founding schools and how they came together to shape MPH today.
Read: “A Tale of Two Schools” and access our complete history through the link provided.
Explore the full story of our founding schools and how they came together to shape MPH today. Access our complete history through the links provided.
The History of The Manlius School »
Excerpt from A Tale of Two Schools
Manlius Pebble Hill School’s history is one of resilience, adaptation, and shared purpose. Born from two strong but vulnerable institutions—The Manlius School and Pebble Hill School—MPH nearly did not survive its early years. Each school brought distinct strengths: Manlius carried a nationally respected military and academic legacy, while Pebble Hill offered a progressive, growing day-school model. Yet by the late 1960s, both faced significant challenges related to enrollment, finances, facilities, and changing cultural attitudes toward military education.
The 1970 merger was driven by necessity as much as vision. What appeared outwardly to be a position of strength for Manlius masked serious financial instability, while Pebble Hill needed space and a larger Upper School to fulfill its academic mission. The merger promised efficiencies, growth, and renewed purpose—but the early years were difficult. Enrollment dropped, finances were strained, morale suffered, and the School survived only through extraordinary sacrifices by trustees, parents, faculty, and alumni.
Through consolidation onto the DeWitt campus, personal financial contributions, and steadfast belief in the School’s mission, MPH endured its most precarious period and slowly rebuilt. The eventual sale of the Manlius campus and key philanthropic support allowed the School to stabilize and move forward.
Ultimately, the merger succeeded because both schools were willing to change. Together, they created something stronger than either could have been alone. Today’s MPH stands as proof that its survival—and success—was forged through determination, collaboration, and a shared commitment to education. As many alumni reflect, the School did not lose its identity; it transformed it. The Phoenix, indeed, rose from the ashes.
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