In January 1939, Ruth Schleifer and Laura Peskin turned their vision of a “leisure hour school” into reality with support from B. Woodhull Davis, Harold Dodds, and John Mackay. Princeton Adult School was established to offer educational courses annually to all adult residents of Princeton, regardless of background. On January 16, 1939, the first evening of classes saw 500 registrations for 20 courses held on Tuesday nights at the public school. Despite challenging economic times and global unrest, courses like “World Politics,” literature, music, art, French, boiler repair, dressmaking, typing, and modern homemaking were offered, reflecting the community’s diverse needs.
Our History
Today, 85 years later, Princeton Adult School thrives, offering over 300 courses each term with classes available almost every night of the week and an annual enrollment exceeding 5,000. Our diverse and dynamic offerings span Humanities, The Arts, and World Languages, as well as Business, Technology, and Personal Finance; Health and Wellness; Home and Garden; and much more. Join us and discover a world of learning opportunities!
