Alexandra College
School Details
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About
Alexandra College is an all‑girls day and boarding school in Dublin offering a continuous educational journey from preschool (age 3) through senior cycle (age 19). The college combines rigorous academic programmes with a broad co‑curricular portfolio that includes sport, music, visual and dramatic arts, and wellbeing initiatives, fostering a culture of vivacity, happiness and vitality. Academic excellence is a hallmark, with consistently strong Junior and Leaving Certificate results, and a curriculum that encourages challenge, critical thinking and lifelong learning. The school’s inclusive ethos is reflected in small‑class teaching, strong student‑teacher relationships and a supportive boarding environment described as a “cocoon” where pupils can develop independence while feeling secure. Facilities cater to a holistic education: dedicated spaces for music and performance, extensive sports provisions, and boarding houses that provide a nurturing residential community. Alexandra College prepares its graduates not only for university and careers but also for active, confident participation in society, underpinned by values of respect, kindness and personal fulfilment.
History
Founded in 1866 by Quaker educationalist Anne Jellicoe, Alexandra College was established to provide advanced education for young women at a time when such opportunities were scarce. Initially operating as a separate university and feeder high school, it evolved into a junior and senior school drawing pupils from across Ireland and abroad. In 1884, six of the first nine women to earn degrees in the UK and Ireland – the “Nine Graces” – were alumnae. The early 1900s saw the creation of the Alexandra College School, which later merged with the original institution to form today’s secondary school, notable for its non‑uniform senior cycle. The Alexandra College Guild, founded in 1897, launched charitable initiatives that laid the groundwork for the Alex Women’s Charity and various social service projects.