Swain Campus Founder's Day Celebration and History

The Swain Campus of Moravian Academy celebrated Founder's Day with a joyful morning of music, tradition, and community. Families gathered in the McCann Center to enjoy student performances, including chorus groups, piano pieces, and the Orff Ensemble. Student speakers reflected on the day’s meaning, and the celebration concluded with a tree planting. Students across all grades used D. Esther Swain’s original shovel, cut in half decades ago to suit young learners, to cover the new tree with mulch. The tradition remains a beloved highlight of the year.

Mrs. Swain opened her first kindergarten class in 1929 with just eight students, using donated orange crates for furniture and leading songs, games, and stories. Her joyful, hands-on approach to learning became the foundation for the school’s enduring philosophy.

As enrollment grew, the school eventually moved to its current site on South 24th Street, built on land donated by founding board member Miss Marjorie Allison, where it opened officially in 1951.

Over the past 95 years, Mrs. Swain’s vision has continued to inspire students and educators alike, nurturing both the collective joy of learning and the individual spirit within each child. Her philosophy continues to shine through Moravian Academy’s mission to nurture the joyful spirit of each learner and empower inclusive global citizens to think critically, communicate effectively, lead with integrity, and strive for excellence.