Roycemore School

Roycemore School was founded in 1915 as a co-ed school, but boys could only go up to 3rd grade. It became fully co-ed in 1962.

Its original location was in north Evanston, Illinois, near Northwestern University. The former Roycemore School building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.[1]

The National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form identifies the two architecture firms that were involved in the design and realization of Roycemore’s original school buildings. It says that architect Lawrence Buck designed the buildings, with the firm of Talmadge & Watson involved as associated architects. Thomas Eddy Tallmadge is identified as the lead representative for his firm.[7]

In discussing the style and importance of the buildings in Section 8 of the form, the NRHP nomination says;

“Roycemore School is of considerable architectural significance because it is one of only two examples known to exist in the Midwest of an educational building designed according to the principles evolved by such famous early modern architects in England as Charles Voysey and M. H. Baillie Scott. As such it eschews the accoutrements of the historic styles and emphasizes instead the stern virtues of simplicity of form and honesty of expression that gave sustenance to the English progressive movement from Pugin through Eastlake to Morris and Voysey....”[8]

As its property lease with Northwestern University for the lot at Lincoln St. and Orrington Ave. was due to end in 2014, in early 2000 the school began looking for another Evanston location that would allow room to continue a trend of enrollment growth that had occurred over the previous 10 years, with updated technology and to accommodate a larger, regulation-sized gymnasium.

Roycemore began classes at 1200 Davis Street in Evanston on January 6, 2012. The 3-acre lot, adjacent to Evanston's Alexander Park, was the location of a 55,000-square-foot building that was once the headquarters of the General Board of Pension Funds for the United Methodist Church. Roycemore completely renovated the building and added a nearly 8,000-square-foot gymnasium.

The school has no-cut athletic teams starting in the fifth grade, including basketball, soccer, cross country and volleyball.

Roycemore's mascot is the Griffin and the school colors are blue and gold.

Each year, Roycemore School holds its annual Palio, which is the school's oldest tradition. Palio was modeled after the pageant that proceeds the Palio di Siena in Italy. Students from grades 1–12 display the progress they have made in physical education classes during the year. The emphasis is on rhythmics, dance, gymnastics, and sports skills. Roycemore's Palio has a colorful procession, where each new Kindergarten class is handed down a banner with the coat of arms from the graduating Senior class that the younger students will carry until graduation in twelfth grade.

Another longstanding tradition at Roycemore is their tumbling program. Starting in third grade, students can be found participating in mounts, lifting other students, or flying through the air as part of their performance. The program culminates in three annual all-school performances, including Palio, for fellow students, parents and alumni.[9]

• Frances Badger (1904–1997), Works Progress Administration (WPA) artist[10]
• Susan Garrett 1968, Illinois State Senator
• Andrew Goldberg 1986, Emmy award-winning producer and director[11]
• Gloria Guardia 1958, UNESCO Vice President of PEN International[12]
• Jason Narducy 1989, American rock musician

• Roycemore School's Official Site