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Archmere Academy
Archmere Academy
Archmere Academy
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Archmere Academy is a private Catholic college preparatory school in Claymont, Delaware, United States. 514 students were enrolled for the 2020–21 academic year.[3] The academy is co-educational and independent, though located within the Diocese of Wilmington.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Archmere Academy was founded in 1932 by the Norbertines, initially as an all-boys school.[4] It began on the former estate of U.S. industrialist John J. Raskob, who lived there with his wife Helena and their 12 children until 1931. Raskob was the campaign manager for New York Governor Al Smith during his presidential campaign in 1928 and the home was used for many meetings, including those of the Democratic National Committee.[5]

John J. Raskob, owner of the former estate on which Archmere Academy now sits

The estate was purchased by Bernard Pennings in 1932. He was the Abbot of the Norbertine Order and is attributed as the founder of St. Norbert College, a private Catholic liberal arts college located in De Pere, Wisconsin.[6] The estate was purchased for $300,000 in the spring of 1932 and officially dedicated in the fall of 1932.[4] The first year of operation, Archmere Academy had an enrollment of 22 students, 16 freshmen and 6 sophomores. In 1933 and 1934, enrollment grew to 50 students and 72 students respectively.[4]

Archmere Academy begun it's slow expansion during the mid to late 1930s due to enrollment increases. Minor expansions were made to accommodate boarding students. In 1939 it built its first gymnasium[7] and by 1940 it had converted the manor on the property into a science center. The school made a transition in the mid-1940s by where it became strictly a four-year college preparatory institution. It phased out both 7th and 8th grades during the 1946–47 and 1947-48 school years. It continued as a day school and boarding school for boys while its enrollment continued to increase.

In 1957, Archmere Academy celebrated its 25th anniversary with the groundbreaking for St. Norbert Hall, the school's main academic building, which was completed in 1959.[4] Going into the 1960s, it continued to expand to accommodate the increase in enrollment, which had reached 394 students by the end of that decade. The Justin E. Diny Science Center was opened in 1973 with classrooms for physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science.[8] The old science center was turned into a center for the arts which held classes for the school's chorus, band, theater, and studio arts program.[8]

St. Norbert Hall, the center of academic life at Archmere

The 1970s brought about two major changes for Archmere Academy. It moved away from being a boarding school and became a day school exclusively.[9] In 1975 it also announced the decision to become a co-ed institution,[9] enrolling 50 girls into the school. It was near the end of the 1970s that a board of trustees was for the academy, with the first meeting taking place in 1980. The board has been credited with expanding the curriculum and extracurricular activities at the academy as well as further expanding to accommodate the new programs. One expansion included a renovation of St. Norbert Hall which included an addition to the current building. Additional expansion in the early 1980s included a new auditorium that seated 750 people, as well as a new library constructed on campus.

In April 2001, an internal dispute among the Norbertines relating to the establishment of Claymont Priory separate from Daylesford Abbey spilled over into the administration of Archmere Academy. Interventions from alumni calmed the turmoil and resulted in the academy taking control of the former Raskob residence, known as "the Patio."[10] 2003 marked the beginning of the academy's "building on mission & heritage" campaign that included goals to complete the Justin E. Diny Science Center expansion, the construction of a student life center, and renovations to the athletic field.

The school broke tradition with the installation of a non-Norbertine headmaster when Dr. Michael Marinelli, a 1976 graduate of Archmere Academy, took over at the beginning of 2010.[11]

Towards the end of the 2015–16 academic school year, Archmere began massive renovations on Saint Norbert's Hall. This reconstruction made changes to the library and every room in the building.

Architecture

[edit]
Archmere
The Patio, country estate of John J. Raskob
Archmere Academy is located in Delaware
Archmere Academy
Location3600 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, Delaware
Coordinates39°48′08″N 75°27′13″W / 39.8023°N 75.4537°W / 39.8023; -75.4537
Area15 acres (6.1 ha)
ArchitectHarper, Alexander James; McCure, Clay
Architectural styleRenaissance, Italian Renaissance
NRHP reference No.92001143[12]
Added to NRHPSeptember 9, 1992 (33 years ago) (1992-09-09)

The Patio, one of the buildings of Archmere Academy, was built between 1916 and 1918 and was originally used as the country estate of John J. Raskob and his wife. Raskob was a financier, the developer of the Empire State Building, and a previous chairman for the Democratic National Committee. The name "Archmere" was given to the estate because of the natural arch of the trees formed over the Delaware River vista. The original building that Raskob constructed, also known as the Patio, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[4] In 2009, the Delaware Public Archives dedicated Archmere Academy with a historical marker.[4]

Academics

[edit]

Archmere students are required to take courses in a variety of areas, including eight semesters of English, seven semesters of religion, and six semesters of mathematics, foreign language, history, and the sciences. Choices for elective classes include art, yearbook (which meets during class time), band, chorus, and computer courses.

Archmere offers a large number of AP courses, including Spanish, French, statistics, calculus (both AB and BC), physics, chemistry, biology, environmental science, art portfolio in 2-D and 3-D, computer science, English composition, US history, European history, and world history.[11]

Music program

[edit]

The music program at Archmere Academy is an elective program that focuses on performance practices from the Renaissance to the 20th century including jazz and Broadway. Instruction is provided mostly through rehearsal experience although there is a course on music theory for advanced students as well as a songwriting course. Performing groups include the jazz ensemble, concert choir, stage band, and Mastersingers. The Mastersingers was founded in 1988 and consists of 30 students selected by audition at the beginning of the school year. In addition to performing at school liturgies and community concerts, they compete nationally and internationally. The academy also has a partnership that allows student musicians to study with the Serafin String Quartet.[13]

Athletics

[edit]

Archmere competes in the Diamond State Conference for interscholastic sports such as American football, field hockey, basketball, rugby, soccer, swimming, diving, lacrosse, volleyball, golf, tennis, cheerleading, baseball, softball, cross country, track and field and wrestling.[citation needed]

Archmere's campus has two artificial turf fields (used by American football, M/W soccer, M/W lacrosse and field hockey), a baseball field (upgraded with dugouts), a softball field (upgraded with dugouts), six tennis courts and a running track.[citation needed]

Archmere has won a number of DIAA championships, such as cross country, volleyball and rugby. From 1991 to 2013, Archmere won eight XC championships and was runner-up for seven. The 2014 girls' volleyball team won the trophy following a victory over Charter. In the following year, Archmere volleyball once again went to the finals, but lost to Delaware Military Academy. The rugby team won three consecutive Delaware state titles in 2015, 2016, and 2017. The rugby team would win again in 2019, capturing the Mark Dombroski Cup and the Subaru 7's Regional Championship. The boys' soccer team won the school's first state title in soccer and the first DIAA state title since 2014. It went on to defeat Wilmington Friends 1–0, ending the season 17–1.[citation needed] The rugby team continued its dominance in the 2021 spring season. The A-side was undefeated for the entire season including winning the 2021 Delaware 7s state title against Salesianum 26–10. In 2023 the Archmere rugby team would win a thriller against Salesianum in overtime to win their 3rd title in 5 years.

In the 1960 season, Archmere's American football team broke a 12-year slide of losing seasons by finishing the season 8–0, led by star athlete Joe Biden, who later became the 46th President of the United States.[14][additional citation(s) needed]

In the 2021 |merican football season, Archmere's varsity football team was undefeated, 13–0, winning district 2 and the class 2A State Championship.[15] The JV team also went undefeated, with a record of 5–0.[16] They were then invited to the White House as guests via Joe Biden. The team, coaches, and cheerleaders attended the Fourth of July celebration in 2022.

In the 2022 Field Hockey season, Archmere's Varsity team advanced to the DII State Championship for the first time in 23 years. The Auks went 13–2 in the regular season. The team had a total of 5 all state players.

In the 2022-23 Girls Soccer Season, Archmere's varsity team won an amazing game against St. Marks defeating them 6–1 in the DII State Championship game. This team was the first girls soccer team to win the Championship in school history.

Notable alumni, known as "Archmereans"

[edit]
Joe Biden '61, second from left, at Archmere Academy

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Archmere Academy

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from Grokipedia
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, co-educational college preparatory school serving grades 9 through 12, located in . Founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers, the academy occupies the former 38-acre estate of industrialist , who developed the property from 1910 to 1931 as a family home before selling it to the to establish a boys' school on the East Coast. The school opened in September 1932 with 22 students and was officially dedicated on October 12 of that year, evolving over time to include girls and emphasizing a rigorous academic curriculum alongside Norbertine values of community, respect, zeal, reverence, and wisdom. Archmere maintains a close affiliation with the Norbertine community, including Daylesford Abbey in , which supports its Catholic identity and pastoral activities. The academy offers programs in academics at college preparatory, honors, and levels, competitive athletics, and arts, including a nationally recognized & program housed in the historic Manor building. Notable for producing graduates who attend competitive universities, Archmere has no major public controversies documented in official records, focusing instead on fostering holistic student development rooted in empirical educational practices and character formation.

History

Founding and Norbertine Establishment

Archmere originated as a private country estate developed by financier John J. Raskob beginning in 1910 on a 48-acre site overlooking the Delaware River in Claymont, Delaware. Raskob, a high-ranking executive at DuPont and General Motors and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, constructed an Italian Renaissance-style villa known as "The Patio" along with ancillary structures including a manor house, designed to accommodate his wife Helena Springer Green Raskob and their 13 children. Construction of the grand villa spanned nearly two years, with further renovations occurring in 1916, establishing Archmere as a symbol of Gilded Age opulence featuring gardens, a pipe organ, and extensive landscaping. The Raskob family resided there until 1931, during which time the estate hosted political and social events, including campaign activities. In 1932, facing financial pressures amid the , Raskob sold the Archmere property to the Norbertine Fathers (Order of ) from St. Norbert Abbey in , who sought to establish a new educational institution for boys. The Norbertines repurposed the estate's buildings, opening Archmere Academy in September 1932 as a Catholic boarding and day school for male students in grades 9-12, with Rev. Michael McKeough, O.Praem., serving as the first headmaster. The academy was officially dedicated on October 12, 1932, marking the formal establishment of its Norbertine heritage, which emphasized community, reverence, and intellectual formation rooted in the order's canonical traditions dating to St. Norbert in the . Under Norbertine administration, the school retained much of the estate's architectural legacy while adapting spaces for classrooms, dormitories, and chapels to support its mission as a college-preparatory institution.

Transition to Day School and Coeducation

In 1975, Archmere Academy discontinued its boarding facilities, transitioning from a combined boarding and model to an exclusively operation for the first time in its history. This change aligned with broader shifts in enrollment patterns and resource allocation at independent preparatory schools during the decade. Concurrently, the academy announced its adoption of coeducation, effective September 1975, admitting fifty female students into a total enrollment of 372. This ended the institution's 43-year tradition as an all-boys school, established since its founding in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers. The integration of female students immediately influenced academic programs and campus facilities, fostering adaptations in curriculum delivery and extracurricular offerings to accommodate the newly diverse student body. These dual transitions reflected evolving educational priorities, with coeducation celebrated in subsequent years as a milestone enhancing community dynamics; the academy marked its 50th anniversary of admitting women in 2025. Enrollment grew modestly from 321 students prior to the changes, signaling sustained interest in the updated model.

Growth and Recent Developments

In the decades following its transition to coeducation in , Archmere Academy experienced steady enrollment growth, reaching 452 students by the late 1980s, with girls comprising 37 percent of the student body. Over the subsequent years, the school expanded its capacity through facility renovations and additions, including a major update to St. Norbert Hall that incorporated new construction to accommodate rising demand. By the , enrollment stood at 514 students, reflecting sustained increases amid regional trends. Recent years have marked a period of accelerated expansion, with enrollment climbing to record and near-record levels over the past five years as of March 2025, stabilizing around 500–501 for the 2025–26 school year. This growth has been supported by key capital projects, including the renovation of St. Norbert Hall, the construction of the Ambrogi Fitness Center, and additions of two new athletic fields, enhancing infrastructure for a larger body. The also introduced a postgraduate year program to prepare academically and athletically for , capitalizing on the rising popularity of gap years. Academic developments underscore this expansion, with 126 students earning AP Scholar Awards in 2025 for high performance on exams, alongside strong showings in national competitions such as 186 Scholastic Art Awards and 36 Scholastic Writing Awards in the same year. In 2022, the curriculum added an Advanced course, broadening STEM offerings to align with evolving educational demands. These initiatives have positioned Archmere as a top-ranked private school, with a 9:1 student-teacher and average of 15 supporting rigorous college-preparatory instruction.

Campus and Facilities

Architectural Heritage

Archmere Academy's architectural heritage originates from its establishment as the country estate of industrialist , constructed between 1916 and 1918 on a 48-acre site overlooking the . The primary residence, known as The Patio, was designed by Wilmington architects Alexander James Harper and Clay McClure in the Revival style, modeled after a 15th-century Florentine palazzo to reflect Raskob's status in early 20th-century American society. The accompanying Manor served as , completing the estate's ensemble of lavish residential architecture. Key features of The Patio include a central dominated by a carved by sculptor Charles Keck and originally covered by a retractable stained-glass , which was protected in and no longer operable. These elements underscore the building's emphasis on grandeur and functionality for entertaining, with interiors suited for social gatherings among Wilmington's elite. The overall design represents Delaware's preeminent example of 20th-century residential . Following the Norbertine Order's purchase in 1931 and the academy's founding in 1932, The Patio was adapted for administrative purposes, while The Manor transitioned to educational uses, including a center by 1940 and arts facilities by 1973. The estate's structures were listed on the in 1992, affirming their historical and architectural value. Preservation initiatives, such as the Friends of The Patio group, continue to safeguard these buildings amid campus expansions, maintaining their integrity as foundational to the school's identity.

Modern Infrastructure and Expansions

Archmere Academy's campus masterplan, developed by ABHA Architects and extending through 2021, has driven modern expansions and renovations to integrate contemporary facilities with the school's historic estate. Phase Two of the plan centralized infrastructure by adding the Student Life Center in October 2007, a 17,507-square-foot structure costing $4.2 million that accommodates dining for 250 students, large meeting spaces, a guidance suite, health services, and administrative offices. This addition connects St. Norbert Hall to athletic facilities, completes the central quadrangle, and includes relocated parking, renovated gymnasiums, and shifted athletic fields to enhance campus flow and green spaces. St. Norbert Hall, the primary academic building erected in 1959, received phased renovations and an addition to promote a collegiate . Executed in four stages to avoid disrupting classes, the project incorporated energy-efficient features like (VRF) HVAC systems for per-classroom control, LED lighting with sensors, and upgraded outdoor air units. New spaces added include a , learning commons, student lounges, study rooms, tech center, and oratory, emphasizing collaboration and resource access. The A. and Mary Abessinio Performing Arts Center underwent a comprehensive overhaul funded by a $6.6 million campaign, including a $3 million lead gift from the Abessinio Foundation. Work commenced in June 2024 post-graduation and concluded with rededication on March 30, 2025, yielding improvements such as expanded seating to 763, ADA-compliant design, replaced HVAC and systems, enhanced acoustics, and a custom artwork titled "Generational Currents: A Colorful Study of Flow" by alumnus Gregory Tomb. Ongoing masterplan elements project further growth, encompassing renovations to the 1916 Patio Building—Archmere's original instructional core—and new constructions for and classrooms to bolster specialized programming.

Academic Program

Curriculum and Academic Rigor

Archmere Academy's is structured as a faith-based liberal arts program, emphasizing , intellectual curiosity, and mastery of core disciplines within a Catholic framework guided by Norbertine values of community, respect, zeal, reverence, and wisdom. Students engage in a college-preparatory sequence offered at College Preparatory (CP), Honors, and levels, with coursework designed to prepare them for higher education through foundational skills, problem-solving, and real-world applications across subjects like , sciences, , and world languages. Graduation requires 54 credits over four years, comprising 48 core credits, 4 elective credits, and 2 health credits, with students typically taking six core courses per semester and one elective annually. Specific mandates include three consecutive years in one and health education in the to meet state law. The program integrates SAT preparation and test-taking skills starting in the year to bolster readiness. Academic rigor is supported by small class sizes averaging 15 students and a 9:1 student-teacher , allowing for personalized instruction and high expectations. Indicators include a 100% college acceptance rate, average SAT scores of 1320, and ACT scores of 30, alongside alumni reports of entering college with advanced standing equivalent to sophomores due to the demanding coursework. In 2022, 86% of AP exams scored 3 or higher with an average of 3.574, and 113 students earned AP Scholar awards, reflecting the program's intensity.

Advanced Placement and Honors Tracks

Archmere Academy structures its curriculum across three tiers—College Preparatory, Honors, and —to accommodate varying levels of student aptitude and prior achievement, with flexible placement determined by academic performance, standardized assessments, and teacher evaluations. The Honors track features accelerated pacing and deeper analytical content compared to College Preparatory courses, typically requiring prerequisites such as strong grades in foundational classes and demonstrated via teacher recommendation; examples include Honors Algebra I, , Chemistry, Physics, , French III, , and Literary Genres. The program, aligned with standards, offers 23 courses as of the 2025-2026 academic year, spanning subjects such as , , Physics C, , A, History, European History, Government and Politics, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, and Studio Art portfolios in , 2D , and 3D Design. Enrollment demands rigorous prerequisites, including successful completion of Honors-level equivalents and faculty approval based on academic records and aptitude. The school has maintained a partnership with the for over 20 years, during which approximately 170 students annually sit for more than 300 AP exams, frequently earning college credit and enabling accelerated postsecondary progress, as evidenced by alumni entering university as sophomores. Archmere's AP outcomes reflect high participation and proficiency, with the institution recognized on the College Board's AP School Honor Roll in 2023 for expanding access while sustaining strong exam performance. In 2025, 126 students qualified for AP Scholar designations, including awards for averaging scores of 3 or higher on three-plus exams (AP Scholar), 3.25 or higher with three-plus exams at 3-plus (AP Scholar with Honor), and 3.5 or higher across four-plus exams (AP Scholar with Distinction). Comparable results prevailed in prior cycles, with 113 scholars in 2024 and 111 in 2023, the latter including 16 with Honor status. These metrics underscore the program's selectivity and effectiveness in fostering and advanced argumentation skills.

Arts, Music, and Extracurricular Academics

Archmere Academy offers electives in fine and performing arts, encompassing vocal and music, , and , with opportunities for extracurricular participation through two annual dramatic productions and ensemble performances. The school's and Manor Studios support these activities. The music program is elective-based, emphasizing performance practices from the to the , including and Broadway, alongside theory, history, and rehearsal techniques. Vocal ensembles include the Choir, which studies choral literature from to contemporary eras and performs at and Spring concerts; select groups like the Mastersingers have toured to sites such as multiple times and performed for Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, as well as at venues like and . Instrumental offerings feature the Concert Band for experienced wind and percussion players, covering classical and popular repertoire; the audition-based Stage Band, focused on advanced and rock with travel performances; the Rock Ensemble for genres; and an Introduction to Band course for beginners. Students have earned selections to All-State Bands and s, All-Eastern ensembles, and awards such as those from the Virginia Beach Music Festival for the Jazz Band. Additional courses cover the History of Broadway Musical, Music in Film (analyzing over 200 films), and Digital Audio Production using X. The Helena Raskob Arts Institute, established in 2021, provides private lessons in , voice, and organ on campus, with arrangements for other instruments and coaching for strings, woodwinds, and brass; it also hosts the Helena Springer Green Raskob and Lecture Series since 2011 and maintains a 1913 Kimball Theater Organ through the Archmere Academy Organ Society, founded in 2019. Drama programming includes two annual productions directed by faculty member Brian Manelski, serving as extracurricular outlets for student involvement. In , students have secured over $1 million in scholarships since 1985, with 186 awards across 13 categories in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Extracurricular academics feature over 50 student-run clubs, promoting leadership and intellectual engagement beyond the core curriculum. Key offerings include teams that have medaled in multiple events at state tournaments, such as 10 medals in 2024 and 14 in 2025, competing in up to 19 events with teams placing 12th and 16th overall in recent years. The sciences department supports additional activities like the TEAMS competition and club. Other academic clubs encompass , speech and , STEM initiatives, foreign language clubs and honor societies, school newspaper, yearbook, and quiz bowl equivalents.

Athletics

Sports Programs and Participation

Archmere Academy offers 22 varsity interscholastic sports programs divided across fall, winter, and spring seasons, with 11 dedicated to boys, 11 to girls, and select coeducational options such as and . These programs compete within the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) and emphasize skill development, teamwork, and the extension of academic principles into physical competition. Fall sports include boys' football, boys' soccer, and cross country (boys and girls); girls' and ; and coed . Winter offerings feature boys' and girls' , boys' wrestling, boys' and girls' indoor track, and boys' and girls' . Spring programs encompass boys' , , , rugby, and ; girls' , soccer, softball, and ; boys' and girls' ; and boys' . Junior varsity teams operate in most sports, contingent on sufficient student interest and available funding, broadening access beyond varsity levels. Approximately 90 percent of the student body engages in these interscholastic activities, reflecting strong institutional encouragement for athletic involvement as a complement to academic pursuits. The athletics department employs dedicated professional coaches to oversee training, competition, and athlete welfare.

Achievements, Championships, and Hall of Fame

Archmere Academy's athletic programs have secured multiple state championships through the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA), particularly in football, girls soccer, and . The football team has won four DIAA state titles overall, with the most recent in 2021 when the undefeated Auks defeated Woodbridge 27-0 in the Division II championship game, marking the program's first title in 39 years. In girls soccer, Archmere claimed its first DIAA Division II state championship in 2023, upsetting higher seeds to defeat Saint Mark's in the final. The program achieved back-to-back DIAA state team titles in 2024 and 2025, rallying from a five-shot deficit in 2024 for its inaugural championship and winning by 12 strokes in 2025. Individual highlights include Phoebe Brinker '20 securing the 2019 DIAA girls title and Andy Zhu winning four consecutive boys singles championships through 2024. Other notable successes include conference titles, such as the boys cross country team's 2024 Diamond State Athletic Conference (DSAC) championship—the first in a decade—and seven spring sports teams winning DSAC titles in 2024, including , girls , boys , girls , girls soccer, softball, and boys . teams have posted strong state finishes, with the girls placing second in Division II at the 2025 DIAA championships and the boys achieving their best-ever indoor state result in 2024. The Archmere Academy Alumni Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1992, honors athletes, coaches, managers, and trainers for significant contributions to the school's athletic legacy. Inductees are selected based on impact at Archmere and beyond, with recent classes including the 2025 group of Bill Holmes (class of 1963), Kyle Holmbeck (1988), Jon Ferro (1995), Rachel Gillen (2011), and the 1974 ; and the 2024 class featuring Stephanie Taylor (1993), Blaise Fletcher (2000), Tim Fagan (1978), and coach Michael Finizio. The hall recognizes dozens of individuals and teams across its history, celebrating achievements like the 1974 basketball team's undefeated conference season.

Religious and Student Life

Norbertine Catholic Tradition and Formation

Archmere Academy was established in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers under Abbot Bernard H. Pennings, who acquired the former Raskob estate in , for $400,000 to create a Catholic for boys. The Norbertine Order, formally known as the Canons Regular of Prémontré, traces its origins to 1121, when founded it in the village of Prémontré, , emphasizing a communal life of , liturgical worship, and apostolic ministry directed toward spiritual renewal, hospitality, and service to others. This charism—centered on fostering peace, healing divisions, and integrating faith with reason—shapes Archmere's identity as a lay-governed still affiliated with the Norbertines through Daylesford Abbey in , where many early faculty resided and contributed to the school's development. The school's student formation draws directly from Norbertine principles, prioritizing values such as community, respect, zeal, reverence, and wisdom to cultivate alongside academic excellence. Norbertine priests and lay faculty collaborate in theology instruction and spiritual guidance, modeling Saint Norbert's zeal for truth and evangelical preaching to prepare students for ethical decision-making rooted in Catholic . Religious life incorporates regular communal , including the recitation of the Archmere Academy , which invokes unity, reverence, and peace, alongside Masses led by Norbertine on holy days, feast days, and special occasions to reinforce liturgical participation and sacramental awareness. This formation extends to service-oriented activities inspired by Norbertine , encouraging students to engage in outreach that mirrors the order's historical commitment to reconciling communities and aiding the vulnerable, while the school's motto et (Piety and ) underscores the inseparable link between spiritual devotion and intellectual rigor. Through these elements, Archmere aims to form graduates who embody Norbertine apostolic zeal in professional and personal spheres, grounded in empirical fidelity to Catholic tradition rather than diluted interpretations.

Campus Traditions, Community, and Discipline

Archmere Academy fosters campus traditions rooted in its Norbertine Catholic heritage, emphasizing spirituality, respect, and communal bonds. Annual events such as the Ring Mass, held on April 26 for eleventh-grade students, symbolize class unity and commitment through the presentation of class rings, reinforcing the school's value of enduring relationships. Blessing ceremonies, conducted for memorials and remembrances, exemplify the Catholic Christian practices integrated into campus life, promoting reverence and collective remembrance. The school's community life highlights servant leadership and inclusivity, drawing from Norbertine charism that prioritizes putting others' needs first and welcoming students of all faiths while centering Catholic formation. Multicultural Open House and Culture Night, scheduled for October 18, 2024, feature family tours followed by celebrations of diverse foods, music, and customs, fostering cultural exchange among students and families. These gatherings align with the academy's core values of , zeal, reverence, and , encouraging mutual respect and shared experiences beyond academics. Discipline at Archmere is maintained through a point/demerit system designed to uphold community standards, respect for others, and reverence for the school's environment. Students accrue points for infractions such as violations (e.g., untucked shirts), unauthorized cellphone use during school hours, or improper storage of school-issued computers, with administrators empowered to issue points without prior warnings. Accumulation of three points triggers further consequences, potentially involving the Disciplinary Committee, which addresses violations of policies like the for network resources or guidelines. This structured approach aims to instill and align with the Norbertine emphasis on personal and communal .

Notable Alumni and Legacy

Prominent Graduates

Archmere Academy's most prominent graduate is Joseph R. Biden Jr., who attended the school from 1955 to 1961 and graduated in the class of 1961. During his time at Archmere, Biden served as for both his junior and senior years and played on the football team. He later became a U.S. Senator from in 1973, from 2009 to 2017, and the 46th from 2021 to 2025. Three of Biden's children also graduated from Archmere: Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III (class of 1987), who served as Delaware's Attorney General from 2007 until his death in 2015; Robert Hunter Biden (class of 1988), a lawyer and businessman; and Ashley Biden (class of 1999), a social worker and activist. Beau Biden followed in his father's footsteps at the academy and was remembered by the school as a faithful alumnus and friend. Other notable graduates include Dr. James Stockman (class of 1961), a pioneering neonatologist who received the Wood Distinguished Alumni Award in 2013 for lifetime contributions to pediatric medicine at the . The academy has also produced inductees into its Sports Hall of Fame, such as athletes and coaches who achieved success at state and regional levels, though none have reached national prominence comparable to the .

Institutional Impact and Empirical Outcomes

Archmere Academy graduates demonstrate strong academic performance, with average SAT scores of 1308 out of 1600 and ACT scores of 30 out of 36 reported in recent years. In 2022, 86% of taken by students scored 3 or higher, with an overall average score of 3.574 out of 5, and 113 students qualified for AP Scholar Awards, including 63 earning the AP Scholar with Distinction designation for maintaining an average of at least 3.5 across all exams. Additionally, 89.4% of students pursuing the Diploma program successfully earned the credential. Nearly all graduates proceed to higher education, with the academy reporting a 100% acceptance rate supported by its counseling program, while independent assessments indicate 98% matriculate to four-year institutions. Matriculation data highlight placements at selective universities, including multiple admits to institutions such as , , , and . The academy's alumni have achieved prominence in and other fields, contributing to its legacy of producing leaders; notable examples include Joseph R. Biden Jr. (class of 1961), who served as the 46th from 2021 to 2025 and previously as , as well as U.S. Senators Thomas Carper and Christopher Coons from . This pattern of alumni success in underscores the institution's influence on regional and national , though direct causal links to specific outcomes remain unquantified in available empirical studies.

References

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  25. https://philachaptersah.org/index.php/2019/03/07/a-private-tour-of-the-patio-at-archmere-academy/
  26. https://www.archmereacademy.com/giving/preserving-our-history
  27. http://www.architects-one.com/pdf-news/learning-by-design_archmere.pdf
  28. https://www.abha.com/our-work-project/archmere-academy-campus-masterplan
  29. https://www.ediscompany.com/project/archmere-academy-st-norbert-hall-renovations/
  30. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1563347
  31. https://www.archmereacademy.com/giving/performing-arts-center
  32. https://www.archmereacademy.com/academics/curriculum
  33. https://www.nais.org/school-directory/school/38724
  34. https://bbk12e1-cdn.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/525/misc/misc_227274.pdf
  35. https://issuu.com/archmereacademy/docs/archmere_college_profile_class_of_2023
  36. https://www.archmereacademy.com/curriculum-detail?LevelNum=913&DepartmentId=17882
  37. https://www.archmereacademy.com/curriculum-detail?LevelNum=913&DepartmentId=17886
  38. https://www.archmereacademy.com/curriculum-detail?LevelNum=913&DepartmentId=17877
  39. https://www.homes.com/school/claymont-de/archmere-academy-school/51gjcxbgmmdrh/
  40. https://www.archmereacademy.com/curriculum-detail?LevelNum=913&DepartmentId=17887
  41. https://issuu.com/archmereacademy/docs/archmere_academy_viewbook_2025-2026
  42. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1473138
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  44. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1445769
  45. https://www.archmereacademy.com/student-life/arts
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  47. https://www.archmereacademy.com/student-life/helena-raskob-arts-institute
  48. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtZVtgjtFJ/
  49. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1496710
  50. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1558640
  51. https://www.archmereacademy.com/curriculum-detail?LevelNum=913&DepartmentId=17879
  52. https://archmereacademy.fsenrollment.com/portal/new_inquiry
  53. https://www.archmereacademy.com/list-detail?pk=31818
  54. https://www.archmereacademy.com/student-life/athletics
  55. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1334242
  56. https://www.facebook.com/DelawareInterscholasticAthleticAssociation/posts/congrats-to-the-2021-diaa-2%25EF%25B8%258F-football-state-champion-archmere-academy-archmere-b/4723269174362679/
  57. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1444538
  58. https://thedialog.org/local-sports/archmere-academy-captures-first-diaa-girls-soccer-title-with-win-over-saint-marks-high-school-photo-gallery/
  59. http://thedialog.org/featured/archmere-academy-tees-up-first-diaa-golf-state-championship/
  60. https://m.facebook.com/ArchmereAcademy/photos/youre-looking-at-back-to-back-champions-the-archmere-golf-team-won-the-diaa-stat/1274374574693671/
  61. https://archmereacademy.myschoolapp.com/page/news-detail?pk=1100010&siteId=1758&ssl=1
  62. https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/05/24/diaa-tennis-tournament-archmere-academy-andy-zhu-wins-fourth-straight-championship/73785118007/
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  67. https://www.archmereacademy.com/alumni/sports-hall-of-fame
  68. https://archmeregreenarch.org/2503/news/hall-of-fame-inductions/
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  81. https://www.archmereacademy.com/list-detail?pk=40933
  82. https://archmereacademy.libguides.com/c.php?g=1099900&p=8054117
  83. https://www.archmereacademy.com/news-detail?pk=1241181
  84. https://www1.udel.edu/udmessenger/vol16no3/stories/features_biden.html
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  87. https://www.suburbanfamilymag.com/article/2594/Private-High-School-Report-Card
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